With plenty of City fans travelling to Wembley for today’s Carabao Cup final, we have scanned the media for the latest news and opinion ahead of the showpiece game.
City are looking to make it three in a row and the Mail have looked closely at our formidable record in the competition.
And there’s team news from the Villa camp, as well as the view of their boss.
So, without further ado…
Opinion
MailOnline: Manchester City the Carabao Cup KINGS
Danny Gallagher writes: “As the Manchester City team coach pulls into the Wembley Stadium players bay on Sunday, Pep Guardiola and his troops will be met with the most familiar of sensations.
“Over the past four years this truly has been City’s competition. Day has become night, night has become day, and the League Cup has been coloured sky blue. It’s just how things go.
“Aston Villa know full well they are facing a formidable opponent. This season alone they have already conceded nine goals to Guardiola‘s men. For City though, this is nothing personal.
“This is a chance for more silverware and a shot at the record books. With the Etihad side having passed through a remarkable 14 consecutive rounds in the competition, Sportsmail took a look back through the archives.
“Mr assist
“For all the goals, a key provider is needed. Time and time again City have been able to draw on the laser-like vision of Bernardo Silva.
“Seen as the heir to his namesake David, Bernardo has always found game-time in the Carabao Cup and has 13 appearances under his belt.
“The Portuguese playmaker is by far and away City’s most creative outlet in this competition. In the absence of the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo steps up to the plate to make City tick.
“He has six assists to his name and counting, meaning Villa should be particularly wary come Sunday.”
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View opposition
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith says: “We’re massive underdogs against a world-class team,” Smith said. “But I can only name one or two other teams who wouldn’t be underdogs going into the game against City.
“They’re a fantastic team, no matter which 11 they put out, and they’ve a fantastic coach which is why they can go to the Bernabeu and get a result.
“But I like sometimes being the underdog because we can go and have a good fight without people expecting anything of us.”
Team news
BBC Sport: Villa v City preview
BBC Sport write: Midfielder John McGinn has failed in his bid to make the squad for Sunday’s final, having been unable to recover from a fractured ankle he sustained just before Christmas.
Striker Keinan Davis returned to training on Monday from his latest hamstring injury and could be available.
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