Should Aleks Kolarov keep his Man City place against Spurs?

Manchester City face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon in the battle of the Premier League's top two.

Stuart Brennan

After a defensive performance at Celtic Park that was careless to say the least, Pep Guardiola needs to make some changes for Manchester City's tough old trip to Tottenham.

John Stones seemed to be Pep's golden boy, but he was stuck on the bench in Glasgow - his return is an absolute must, and Aleks Kolarov is the obvious man to make way for him.

I would stick with the faster Gael Clichy at left-back, while Bacary Sagna should come in at right back.

Further forward, injury to Kevin De Bruyne and suspension for Nolito restrict the options, and for me Jesus Navas has done enough to warrant inclusion, especially in an away game which should present counter-attacking possibilities.

Stuart's XI: Bravo, Sagna, Stones, Otamendi, Clichy; Fernandinho; Navas, Gundogan, Silva, Sterling; Aguero

James Robson

Guardiola is without the injured Vincent Kompany, Kevin de Bruyne and Fabian Delph and the suspended Nolito.

Other than that he has a fully fit squad to pick from. And despite the intensity of the game against Celtic, I expect him to name his strongest team available with an international break coming up.

In what could be the sternest test yet for City the question is who Guardiola considers to be his key players.

My suspicion is Leroy Sane could develop into one, but for now Jesus Navas and Nolito are ahead of him when everyone is available.

Stones MUST be recalled after City's nightmare defensive show in Glasgow.

James' XI: Bravo; Sagna, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov; Fernandinho; Navas, Silva, Gundogan, Sterling; Aguero

Ciaran Kelly

This game is Pep Guardiola's biggest test as City manager and the Celtic wake-up call will have been a blessing in disguise.

Talk about City setting new consecutive win records and Kolarov being the most improved centre-back in the league is now over.

Sagna and Stones need to come back into the side, but I would keep Kolarov in the back line ahead of Clichy.

In the absence of De Bruyne, the midfield picks itself and I would bring Navas in for the suspended Nolito.

New signing Sane does not yet look up to speed and Navas has proved himself as a useful option against Spurs in the past.

Ciaran's XI: Bravo, Sagna, Otamendi, Stones, Kolarov, Fernandinho Sterling, Gundogan, Silva, Navas, Aguero.

Rob Pollard

Stones should come straight back into the side and partner Otamendi, who was the best of a bad back four on Wednesday in Glasgow. Clichy and Sagna would be my full-backs.

Fernandinho should anchor the midfield, with Gundogan and David Silva ahead of him. Those three need to fill the creative void left by De Bruyne's injury and will be key to City getting a result.

Raheem Sterling is in fine form and with Nolito out injured, Navas and Sane are fighting for a spot on the right. I'd go for Navas.

Sergio Aguero, as ever, leads the line.

Rob's XI: Bravo; Sagna, Otamendi, Stones, Clichy; Fernandinho; Navas, Gundogan, Silva, Sterling; Aguero

Villa vs City: Pellegrini's Probable Starting XI

After a 3-1 road win against Sevilla in the Champions League and a 2-1 defeat of Norwich City at home, it looks crystal clear that Manchester City heads into Sunday's match against Aston Villa on a high. After all, since City's last defeat, which was against Spurs in the Premier League, City has gone undefeated in its last eight matches, seven of which have culminated in a victory. Though City enters the game in almost optimal conditions, if it weren't for the injuries to top men Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Pablo Zabaleta, the big question remains, who will start at Villa Park on Sunday?

As mentioned previously, Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Pablo Zabaleta are the three definite omissions from the squad list for the match against Aston Villa, while Fabian Delph and Gael Clichy, who have been out with long term injuries, enter the match day squad. Given Fabian Delph's rather uncomfortable exit from Aston Villa as well as his ongoing return to match day fitness, he looks primarily in line for a run in the second half of about 25 minutes for City. Gael Clichy, who was on the bench for City's victory over Sevilla, could also be a substitute for Aleksandar Kolarov, who has maintained a good level of consistency in his play this season.

Manchester City's midfield could potentially have a change, after Fernando and Fernandinho started the match against Sevilla as defensive midfielders, while Yaya Toure played in a more attacking position. It is likely that Kevin de Bruyne will be restored as the attacking midfielder with Jesus Navas and Raheem Sterling sitting behind Wilfried Bony, who is likely to get the nod ahead of Kelechi Iheanacho, who played for City's U-19 team against Sevilla's U-19 team in the UEFA Youth League. Iheanacho does looks set for a second-half appearance, or perhaps a starting role if Manuel Pellegrini decides to drop Raheem Sterling, which he did against Norwich City.

With Pablo Zabaleta out and Gael Clichy not exactly match day fit for a start, it looks like Aleksandar Kolarov will get the nod at left-back and Bacary Sagna at right-back. In the center back positions, it is likely that Nicolas Otamendi and Vincent Kompany will be paired together in defense, as they were against Norwich and Sevilla.