Aston Villa v Manchester City - Match Preview

Instead, the Villa boss yesterday expressed sympathy with the ‘ridiculous’ position City counterpart Pep Guardiola and the other five managers at English clubs who had signed up to the ESL found themselves, fronting up for owners who have remained silent.

Guardiola yesterday addressed the media for the first time since news of the breakaway league emerged on Sunday but appeared largely in the dark about his own club’s motivations before they later withdrew their participation. Smith, who took aim at the owners of the ‘so-called Big Six’, confirmed neither he or his players had discussed making a protest similar to that seen when Liverpool visited Leeds on Monday night.

He explained: “I have every sympathy for the teams and players.

“They have not been involved in the decision-making or the process.

“That respect between myself, Pep and his coaching team will still be there. People at the head table at the moment are the ones who have lost respect.

“It is ridiculous that we (managers) are facing the media five or six times a week anyway – that statement comes out for the teams involved in the ESL, then those six managers have to face questions about it.

“That’s without being briefed or being involved in the decision-making process in any way. For me, it’s ridiculous they have to sit down and face that.”

Though Smith will tonight try to concentrate on the match, the ongoing fury over the ESL proposals – which were last night on the brink of collapse with clubs withdrawing – has cast an inevitable shadow over what might, or might not be, a significant match in the Premier League season.

City, eight points clear at the top with six matches to play, can take a big step toward the title with victory. But with uncertainty over what sanctions the Premier League or Uefa can and will take against the breakaway clubs, there is now an element of doubt about the outcome of the season. Villa, 11th in the table and on the fringes of the race for European football, might actually be playing for more than the current standings suggest.

“I want to beat them because they are a great challenge,” said Smith, when asked about whether the events of recent days had provided any added motivation. “They have one of the best coaches in the world and some of the best players and it is a challenge for us.

“Beating Manchester City, or trying to beat them, does not get any bigger.”

City, beaten by 10-man Leeds last time out in the league, head into the match on the back of an FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea which ended their hopes of an unprecedented quadruple.

Smith continued: “I think they will be stinging. They’ve just lost two games on the spin and that happens once in a blue moon.

“Chelsea really defended well against them and kept the ball very well. Leeds defended resolutely and after having a man sent off went on to do the job.

“We have to make sure we compete against City, do the leg work and try to restrict them to as few chances as possible.

“Pep’s a perennial winner and he will be disappointed . He will certainly want to go into the Carabao Cup final and the Champions League semi-final with a winning experience.”

Both teams will be missing their star player with Jack Grealish (shin) is still absent for Villa and City’s Kevin de Bruyne out with an ankle injury. Morgan Sanson (knee) remains out for Villa, with Smith confirming Trezeguet is facing an extended spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a knee injury sustained in the 2-1 defeat at Liverpool.