City get us under way.

This is City's first home game since they won the Capital One Cup, and two former players - Joe Corrigan and Peter Barnes - have just given their fans a quick glimpse of the trophy. Will there be any more silverware to show off this season, though?

This is a big day all-round for Micah Richards, actually. The Villa skipper is making his 200th Premier League appearance - 179 of them were for City.

Right then, just five minutes until kick-off. Micah Richards is about to lead Villa out, on his return to his former club.

Kevin Kilbane
Ex-Everton and Republic of Ireland winger on Football Focus

"I think City won't win the league now. I think they can get 80 points maximum but everything's against City now."  

It's not been plain-sailing for City, either, obviously. No team has won the Premier League after losing eight games - which City have done already. They are already relying on other people slipping up, even if they do manage a late charge.

Kevin Kilbane
Ex-Everton and Republic of Ireland winger on Football Focus

"I don't recall a manager ever questioning a player's commitment in training before. There's only one way that is going to go. Remi Garde has tried to address this and said there is no split in the camp but I can't see a player taking that kindly.

"He's got to dig them out in training. That should not be made public. Villa could be primed for going straight into League One too. Look at the negativity around the place. It has happened to clubs before." 

David Pleat
Former Tottenham boss on BBC Radio 5 live

"There must be a poor relationship between the players and manager but Remi Garde has handled himself well. It has been a terrible time, it hasn't been good for Garde and his cv, he must be dispirited. Look at the recruitment, the players who came have been poor. Not good enough. I also think that Garde, who came in as a solution, was recommended by Arsene Wenger. There is a lack of football knowledge behind the scenes at Aston Villa. They have to get that right." 

Both these sides have their problems - for starters, they have both lost their last three Premier League games - but Villa's issues are obviously deeper. They have lost 18 of their 28 Premier League games this season and Remi Garde has criticised some of his players' commitment. There is also the question of how many of them are good enough, of course...

Hang on a minute, though. It's not all bad news for Villa fans when it comes to predictions - American hip hop artist Fatman Scoop is backing Remi Garde's side to win 3-2.

Okay, Scoop did also back Tottenham to beat Arsenal 14-2 today... but he was half right - that game has just finished 2-2, meaning City will close the gap on both north London clubs with a win.

For all Lawro's predictions, go here.

To make your own, head here...

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

Image source, bb

That attack-minded Manchester City line-up suggests they are going after the goals today - and they seem to do pretty well in that department when they play Villa here.

Image source, bb

Wilfied Bony makes his first start since Boxing Day and joins Sergio Aguero up front as Manchester City switch to a 4-4-2 formation. 

Bony replaces Raheem Sterling in one of three changes from Wednesday's defeat by Liverpool, with the fit-again Yaya Toure in for Fernando in midfield and Bacary Sagna preferred to Pablo Zabaleta at right-back.

Image source, BBC Sport

Just the one change for Aston Villa from their midweek defeat by Everton. Jordan Veretout replaces Leandro Bacuna in midfield.

Two former City players, Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott, are in the Villa defence and a third, midfielder Scott Sinclair, is on the bench.

Image source, BBC Sport

Yep, Villa fans do not need me to tell them how bleak things are looking for their team, who have not won on the road since the opening day of the season and are eight points away from safety.

I do have got some good news, though - Remi Garde picked up a point against City in his first game in charge back in November. A repeat of that battling performance would give them a chance at the Etihad this afternoon.

Image source, Getty Images

Afternoon all. According to Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini, his side need to win 9 of their last 11 Premier League games to have a chance of winning the title.

So presumably Pellegrini would not give up on City if they don't beat bottom side Aston Villa today - I think everyone else would, though.

Image source, Reuters

Welcome to our live page for Manchester City v Aston Villa, we will have live text commentary here from 14:30. If you want to follow the rest of Saturday's games click here