Manchester City make two changes to their starting line-up, with David Silva and Aleksandar Kolarov replacing Sergio Aguero and Gael Clichy.

Man City XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov, Garcia, Toure, Silva, Milner, Dzeko, Nasri.

Aston Villa bring in Jordan Bowery for the injured Gabriel Agbonlahor.

There are a couple of other things to tell you about before we crack on with more title talk, because there have been two interesting managerial appointments today. First of all, Garry Monk has been confirmed as Swansea City manager on a permanent basis. "Garry represents all the strong values we hold so dearly as a football club," said chairman Huw Jenkins.

A bit further afield, Portugal's Helena Costa is to become the highest-profile female manager of a European men's team after being named head coach of Clermont Foot in France.

Costa, a former scout for Scottish Premiership side Celtic, has coached the Iran women's team since 2012. The 36-year-old, who has also coached Benfica's male youth teams and the Qatar women's side, will join Clermont officially at the end of the season.

Image source, PA

Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal has told the BBC's chief sports news correspondent Dan Roan that he wants to join Manchester United, describing them as "the biggest club in the world". We'll bring you more of that interview when we have it.

I know what you're thinking... it's not all about the title race tonight. And you're right, because there's a significant game at the bottom in which both Sunderland and West Brom can secure their Premier League status for another season. A victory for either side would do the trick, while a draw would effectively ensure both sides were safe barring a goal-fest for Norwich at the weekend. Canaries fans, tonight could be the night the dream comes to an end.

BBC Sport's David Ornstein at Etihad Stadium

"There's a feeling of nervous excitement around Etihad Stadium as Manchester City prepare to host Aston Villa knowing victory will see them take a huge stride towards their second Premier League title in three seasons. While City have endured more than their fair share of agony over the years, they held their nerve so memorably in 2012 and will hope they can do so again."

And am I the only person who thinks there is at least one more twist to come in this Premier league title race? After all, Manchester City have already lost to Aston Villa once this season, while West Ham managed to pick up a draw at Stamford Bridge, after which Jose Mourinho famously said of the Hammers' tactics: "This is football from the 19th century. The only [other] thing I could bring was a Black and Decker [tool] to destroy the wall."

The counter argument, however, is that West Ham have conceded 12 goals in three games against Manuel Pellegrini's men already this season!

It seems everyone has handed over the Premier League title to Manchester City - even Jose Mourinho and Brendan Rodgers have publically announced that their sides' chances are over. But didn't Roberto Mancini do that towards the end of the 2011-12 season?

Image source, Getty Images

The champagne is on ice, the celebratory T-shirts have been ordered and the bloke on the tannoy has been asked to bring his Queen CD to work on Sunday.

Manchester City can make out the Premier League title in the distance, in fact they can almost touch it: players and fans alike are dreaming about it and they can just about smell the cotton of the blue and white ribands which would adorn the trophy.

All they need is two victories and the corks will start popping, T-shirts can be pulled from the wrappers and 'We are the Champions' can be belted out over the PA system.

But football isn't as simple as that, and Manchester City never make things easy for themselves...