Norwich - who are bottom of the table - have lost five of their first eight home league games in a season for the third time in their history.

The others were 2019-20 in the Premier League and in 1946-47 in the Third Division South.

Only Southampton have lost more Premier League games in 2021 than Aston Villa's tally of 20.

Villa are 13th after picking up form in recent weeks.

Norwich boss Dean Smith: "I was manager there a month ago and somebody made a decision where I'm not the manager any more. I'm not in control of that so I move on very quickly.

"I'm enjoying life at Norwich and it just so happens to be Aston Villa on Tuesday. If it was Manchester City or Liverpool, it's the same.

"I've got to get three points. I made a statement when I left that football club and I stand by every word of it. They've moved on and I've moved on.

"In my 34 years in professional football, only three of them have been at Aston Villa. You move on very quickly - and you have to.

"I'll always be a Villa fan. I was quite proud of the fact my boy came back from America and he wanted to go to watch Liverpool-Villa rather than Norwich-Manchester United. All our family are Villa fans, but I know he'll be at the game on Tuesday night and he'll be supporting Norwich."

Aston Villa have won three of their five league matches under Steven Gerrard, as many as they had in 11 under Dean Smith this season.

Norwich have picked up five points in their five league matches under Smith, as many as they had in 11 under Daniel Farke this season.

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa says he wants get "what we deserve" from the Etihad.

Bielsa's side were denied a hard-earned point at title challengers Chelsea on Saturday by Jorginho's stoppage-time penalty and the manager is hopeful of rectifying that.

"Losing generates disappointment and a lot of frustration," he said. "Our efforts are valued more when we get something - and we want to be able to face opponents on an even level."

"Every game we make lots of effort. But when you deserve to win, it's only possible sometimes to do so.

"We have lots of hope that we can obtain what we deserve and put points on the board."

Norwich have failed to score in 10 of their 16 league fixtures this season, more than any other side.

In all competitions Teemu Pukki (five) is the only player to score more than two goals.

Image source, .

German Bundesliga

It won't surprise you to know Bayern Munich are thrashing a team in the Bundesliga.

They lead 5-0 at Stuttgart, with Serge Gnabry scoring a hat-trick and Robert Lewandowski netting twice.

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

Norwich have a few injury problems but I was still impressed with the way they played against Manchester United.

The outcome of this game could come down to how much each team has got left in the tank because Aston Villa's players also put in a huge effort in their narrow defeat by Liverpool at Anfield.

I am going with a home win. I am sure Canaries boss Dean Smith would love to beat Villa after the way his three-year spell ended, but the reason I am backing Norwich is just down to the way they have improved since he took charge there.

Prediction: 2-1

Manchester United's Premier League match against Brentford was postponed yesterday after a Covid-19 outbreak at the Old Trafford club.

The league says the decision was made "following guidance from medical advisers due to the exceptional circumstances" of the outbreak.

United shut down operations at their Carrington training ground to minimise the risk of infection.

In the past week 42 Premier League players and staff have tested positive.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Kevin de Bruyne returns to the Manchester City midfield to make his first Premier League start since their win at Old Trafford on 6 November.

That is one of four changes by City boss Pep Guardiola, who also recalls John Stones to play alongside Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte in what looks likely to be a three-man back-line, and brings in Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez up front.

Joao Cancelo is suspended while Ilkay Gundogan, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus all drop to the bench.

Man City XI: Ederson, Stones, Dias, Laporte, Zinchenko, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Grealish, Foden, Mahrez

Subs: Steffen, Ake, Sterling, Gundogan, Jesus, Fernandinho, Egan-Riley, Palmer, Wilson-Esbrand

Leeds name the same side that lost so late on at Chelsea on Saturday.

Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips remain sidelined by injury so Tyler Roberts leads the attack alongside Raphinha and Daniel James.

Leeds XI: Meslier, Dallas, Ayling, Llorente, Firpo, Shackleton, Forshaw, Harrison, Raphinha, Roberts, James

Subs: Klaesson, Gelhardt, Cresswell, Drameh, Summerville, Greenwood, Klich, McCarron, Jenkins

Thumbs down this post if you've just realised there was a fantasy football deadline today and it's too late now.

Manchester City have the chance to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points, with Liverpool - and Chelsea - not playing until Thursday.

Leeds are 15th, only five points above the drop zone.

City boss Pep Guardiola said: "[Leeds are] one of the toughest opponents, they play in a special and unique way.

"We play it just two times a year. We have to adjust a few things, it's completely different to the others.

"We are going to defend the way they play and we are not used to it."

Norwich manager Dean Smith makes four changes to the Canaries team that lost 1-0 at home to Manchester United on Saturday.

Ben Gibson returns from a groin problem to replace the injured Grant Hanley, while Brandon Williams starts after being ineligible to face his parent club at the weekend. Todd Cantwell makes his first start since November, with Jacob Sorensen handed his full Premier League debut.

Dimitris Giannoulis is among the substitutes, but Lukas Rupp and Josh Sargent are absent.

Norwich XI: Krul, Aarons, Gibson, Kabak, Williams, Sorensen, Gilmour, McLean, Placheta, Pukki, Cantwell

Subs: Gunn, Byram, Dowell, Mumba, Giannoulis, Idah, Tomkinson, Dickson-Peters, Rowe

Image source, BBC Sport

Steven Gerrard makes just one change to the Aston Villa side beaten 1-0 by Liverpool at Anfield.

Emiliano Buendia returns to face his former club, replacing the injured Marvelous Nakamba.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, McGinn, Buendia, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey, Watkins, Young

Subs: Marshall, Tuanzebe, Trezeguet, Ings, Hause, Philogene-Bidace, Chukwuemeka, Archer, Iroegbunam

Image source, BBC Sport

I suppose you'll be wanting some team news from that game?

Image source, Getty Images

Dean Smith started this season in charge of Aston Villa, his boyhood club.

On 6 November, Norwich sacked Daniel Farke.

On 7 November, Villa sacked Smith.

On 15 November, Norwich hired Smith.

That is the fastest that a Premier League manager has been sacked and rehired by another top-flight club.

It's another midweek round of games.

One match is far is missing because of Covid, Brentford v Manchester United (which was meant to be the first game).

Let's hope not but there's still time for other games to be cancelled.

Image source, .