Neither side has lost a Premier League game this season, although Aston Villa's unbeaten run has caused rather less fuss than City's. Even his fiercest critics in the Holte End have been forced to concede that Alex McLeish has begun well but the blue half of Manchester has been a graveyard for previous Villa managers, who have lost 10 of their last 11 games, whether at Eastlands or Maine Road. Gabriel Agbonlahor has shaken off a back problem but the encounter has come too soon for Sergio Agüero to lead the Manchester City attack. Tim Rich

Venue Etihad Stadium, Saturday 3pm

Tickets Sold out

Last season Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0

Referee Anthony Taylor

This season's matches 1 Y5, R0, 5.00 cards per game

Odds Manchester City 4-11 Aston Villa 19-2 Draw 4-1

Manchester City

Subs from Pantilimon, Taylor, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Savic, Onuoha, Razak, Milner, Agüero, Hargreaves, K Touré, Nasri, Barry

Doubtful None

Injured Agüero (groin, 18 Oct)

Suspended Tevez (club suspension)

Form guide WWDWWW

Disciplinary record Y7 R0

Leading scorer Agüero 8

Aston Villa

Subs from Guzan, N'Zogbia, Albrighton, Cuéllar, Heskey, Herd, Clark, Gardner, Weimann, Lowry, Baker

Doubtful Bannan (achilles), Collins (foot), Ireland (foot)

Injured Delfouneso (hamstring, 29 Oct), Jenas (achilles, Nov), Lichaj (hip, Jan)

Suspended None

Form guide WDDDDW

Disciplinary record Y16 R0

Leading scorer Agbonlahor 4

Match pointers

• Since beating Villa 4-0 in Manchester last season, City have won 12 of their 13 home league games, keeping 10 clean sheets

• Gabriel Agbonlahor has been booked in all three of his league appearances away from home in 2011-12

• City have hit the woodwork more times (six) than any other side in the Premier League

• James Collins has made more defensive blocks (13) and clearances (17) than any other player in the division

• Stefan Savic has the fastest booking by a substitute this season – after 45 seconds

• Villa have the joint-worst shooting accuracy (35% on target) in the division this term