Carabao Cup final: Predicting Aston Villa's Wembley clash...

Villa have had their struggles of late in the top flight, dangling precariously outside of the relegation zone, having failed to win in the league since the last minute success over Watford back in January.

But having shocked Leicester over two legs in the semi-finals, how will they get on in the final.

Dean Smith's side have lost both encounters with Pep Guardiola's side this season, falling 3-0 at the Etihad before being on the wrong end of a 6-1 thumping at Villa Park.

Here's how some of the team here at the Express & Star see the encounter going...

Russell Youll - Group Sports Editor

How confident are you that Aston Villa could cause an upset this Sunday and why?

Erm, not very. I don't think any Villa fans will be going into the game with confidence bearing in mind how we were taken apart by City at home recently as well as our recent Premier League form.

Statistically, Villa have the worst defence in the Premier League in a number of different measures; goals against, chances created against us, shots against... and City have scored more goals than anyone else in the league so far this season. It will take an almighty Villa effort - and hope City suffer a European hangover from their exertions against Real Madrid - to lift the cup on Sunday evening.

Villa have shown against the likes of Leicester and Spurs that they can raise their game - that's what I keep telling myself anyway...

How do you expect Villa to line-up?

Hopefully the shocker at Southampton last weekend acts as a wake-up call for some of our under-performers and Dean Smith has said a few of the starting XI from last Saturday played themselves out of his cup final team. Trouble is, just how many of them could be missing if it was solely based on that performance...?

I think Villa could line up with Reina, Engels, Mings, Hause, Guilbert, Targett, El Ghazi, Nakamba, Hourihane, Grealish and Samatta.

Villa have obviously struggled of late in the league, do you think this cup run has offered a welcome distraction? Or has it been a drain on a newly promoted side?

It has certainly been a welcome distraction for the fans. Had it not been for the victory over Leicester in the semi-finals - and the manner of it with the last-gasp Trezeguet winner - then the mood among Villa supporters could be a lot darker. A trip to Wembley is always something to get excited about.

I can only hope it is the same for the players. The defeat to Spurs was a tough one to take and the performance at Southampton suggests confidence is pretty low, particularly away from home.

On balance, I'm hoping the final will prove a welcome distraction and the players give it their all and play without fear. Jack Grealish tends to shine on the big stage and Villa will be looking to him to provide their inspiration. If the one-in-a-thousand possibility happens and Villa lift the trophy, it will hopefully give the squad a shot in the arm for the run in. If it goes horribly wrong on Sunday, I do fear for what it will mean for the remainder of the season.

Your match prediction?

Villa win 2-1! I know that makes absolutely zero sense after what I've just written above, but I've bought tickets for me and my lad and the game takes place on my birthday; so who is going to go there predicting a defeat? Up the Villa!

Luke Hatfield - Digital Sports Journalist

How confident are you that Aston Villa could cause an upset this Sunday and why?

I must say, I'm about as far from confident as you can get.

I'm personally in the camp of Premier League survival over cup success. Yes, it's nice to have a cup run and the chance at domestic silverware like this is few and far between for many clubs - but if Villa were to win and go down, it would mean little in terms of keeping a hold of some of the club's star names. If they stay up and lose this cup final, the chances of building and improving next season are far stronger.

Add to the fact that Man City have beaten Villa comprehensively in each of their meetings in the league this season (particularly at Villa Park), and I find it hard to look past Pep Guardiola's side.

The way things have gone regarding the Premier League this season, and City's ban from Europe, I get the sense the Carabao Cup means more to them this year in comparison to previous seasons.

Anything can happen on the football pitch, but I think Villa heading home as cup winners Sunday evening is very unlikely.

How do you expect Villa to line-up?

Considering the abject performance the side put in against Southampton, I wouldn't be surprised to see some serious changes heading into the game on Sunday.

Smith said as much following that defeat at St Mary's, players have played themselves out of this game.

I personally think Orjan Nyland deserves to start in goal after his heroics against Leicester, but then again Smith could opt for Reina.

Elsewhere, Ahmed Elmohamady could start given his experience, but I'd back Matt Targett to stay in the side thanks to his ability to link up with Jack Grealish. Here's my predicted XI:

(3-4-3): Nyland; Hause, Mings, Engels; Targett, Hourihane, Luiz, Elmohamady; Grealish, Samatta, El Ghazi.

Villa have obviously struggled of late in the league, do you think this cup run has offered a welcome distraction? Or has it been a drain on a newly promoted side?

It's been a strange cup run for several reasons for Villa, but I tend to advocate winning breeding confidence regardless of the competition.

Villa cruised past numerous sides who clearly showed the Carabao Cup very little respect this season. The win over Liverpool's kids was a testament to just how little big sides have taken the competition, whilst Brighton played a weakened side and Wolves went almost as far as Jurgen Klopp's side in the way they sported a field of inexperienced youngsters.

In that respect, it hasn't been much of a distraction, but the two legs against Leicester clearly took precedent for some players, who have failed to put in similar performances in league games that have really mattered of late.

Recently, I'd argue it's been something of a drain on a side in need of points in the top flight, but as I said - beating the likes of Leicester should breed confidence. If they do better City somehow, surely it can only be a good thing?

Your match prediction?

It's sad to say it, but I really don't see much chance of a Villa win here - although anything can happen.

Villa are a fragile team at the moment, and as much as I'd love to see them go all in and beat City - I'm not sure I can see it.

If they're on the end of a similar 6-1 drubbing like they received at Villa Park, this game could hurt them across all competitions - something Dean Smith's side can ill afford.

I'd love Villa to get an early goal to make things interesting, and to give the fans something to cheer, but I picture City running away with this one.

Final score 3-1 to Pep's side, no embarrassment necessary.

Justin Hawthorne - Aston Villa blogger

How confident are you that Aston Villa could cause an upset this Sunday and why?

The short answer is not very, given our predicament in the league and the two previous games against Man City this season I think we would all agree we are up against it, but I will always have to believe it is possible however tough it seems.

How do you expect Villa to line-up?

This is a tough one, we have chopped and changed all season and after last week's defeat to Southampton Dean Smith said players had played there way out the team, so I would expect a few changes and maybe a formation change as well.

I’d like us to try and play with two up-top if possible and revert to a back four so maybe 4-3-1-2.

Reina; Targett, Mings, Engels, Elmohamady; Hourihane, Nakamba, Luiz, Grealish, Davis, Samatta.

Villa have obviously struggled of late in the league, do you think this cup run has offered a welcome distraction? Or has it been a drain on a newly promoted side?

This is always thrown about when a struggling side gets a good cup run, I believe winning is always a good thing for any side and playing at Wembley should never be taken for granted.

And after all isn't football all about winning things? Who knows, a shock win on Sunday however it happens could be just the lift we all need going into the run-in.

Your match prediction?

The obvious answer to this is a comfortable City win but I can’t bring myself to write that! What the hell, I'll go for a shock 2-1 win for the boys.

Come on you Lions! See you all at Wembley!