Man City Q&A RECAP: Can Pep Guardiola's side return to winning ways with tough trip to Aston Villa? Are they feeling the strain in the Premier League title race?

That concludes our Manchester City Q&A with Jack Gaughan, who will be covering tonight’s game at Villa Park.

Thank you for reading and for all your questions. See you next time.

JACK GAUGHAN: Yes and no. Generally no but in moments there might not be that 100 per cent intensity. Guardiola was interesting when he mentioned a goal that RB Leipzig scored at the Etihad recently.

Akanji seemed to be bullied by Openda but it just felt like a lazy attempt to win a ball, an assumption he’d come away with it, and the striker skipped off.

So the general play is good and still at high levels but he needs them switched on at all times.

JACK GAUGHAN: I’d actually asked Guardiola a simple yes or no question about the general punditry around City’s recent form. And he went for it big time, kept talking for six and a half minutes without coming up for air. 

He’s miffed about accusations of complacency, which emanated from Neville on Sunday, and used it as a vehicle to defend the players.

He went from pundits, complacency to mind games and their form. Right round the houses and a fascinating few moments.

You probably get one or two of those Guardiola press conferences a season. He can be pure box office when there’s something to rail against and it’ll be interesting to see what reaction that sparks.

We’ve had lots of reader questions in about City’s potential January transfer business, so let’s address that.

JACK GAUGHAN: I’d imagine it’ll only be central midfield if they do anything. Lucas Paqueta’s (below) case with the FA would need to be sorted for them to return there.

Jamal Musiala is of significant interest but obviously not for January and clubs are skeptical that Bayern Munich would sell him anyway.

It’s not usually a window where they do business for the short term but as said earlier, if Phillips is making it clear he’s off then there is a hole to fill.

JACK GAUGHAN: Uber seriously I would’ve thought. Guardiola is all about ticking things off and the fact that City have never been to one of these before will mean it takes on more importance than you might imagine. It’s a legacy trophy, isn’t it? Right up his street.

As for the workload, they’re not really ones to start managing selection with a look ahead to what’s to come.

They just deal with injuries when they happen rather than planning, which perhaps is to their detriment.

If he picks half a team for that semi-final it’ll be because he thinks it’ll win the game regardless.

Thank you to one of our readers for this question.- Did you know Doku would adapt so quickly?

JACK GAUGHAN: No, and I don’t think City did either! I went over to Belgium a couple of weeks ago to talk to a few people who knew him growing up and they’re also amazed at his focus and general consistency.

The biggest thing Guardiola has been pleased about so far is how he rarely loses the ball while still having that desire to go and beat a man, open the game up.

It’s been a major surprising plus for them because he did feel like something of a project when they bought him.

JACK GAUGHAN: I’d be shocked if it wasn’t higher than the £75,000 fine they were handed in February for similar incidents in a win over Arsenal. Guardiola is very measured when it comes to referees after matches, and always has been, although does admit his touchline antics do go overboard.

The human nature description is right, it was a huge moment - and potentially match-defining - with emotions running high after Tottenham’s equaliser.

But you can’t crowd a referee in that manner and they’ll be accepting of the punishment.

JACK GAUGHAN: It’s always been up to him. He chose to stay and fight for his place in the summer, which was admirable. And he was getting a few more appearances a while back but that progress has again halted.

Juventus are weighing up a loan move for him in January, while Newcastle are credited with interest as well.

He knows that he needs minutes to cement a spot at the Euros so it feels more likely that he’ll move on.

That will presumably depend on City’s ability to make a signing themselves though because, as we often talk about, the squad is on the small side.

JACK GAUGHAN: Definitely full throttle. Villa are so good at home and swarm all over opponents in a way that will concern Guardiola, given he’s got major selection problems.

There’s no Rodri, out suspended after walking a tightrope for weeks.

So what does he do with the No 6? Kovacic potentially, although he’s struggled in that role and has only just returned from injury. Stones is just coming back so starting in such an important role is a big ask.

I’d expect Rico Lewis to play as an eight with Alvarez.

It does make you wonder: if Phillips can’t start tonight then when can he?

JACK GAUGHAN: This season has actually taken on a similar theme to others under Guardiola.

A decent start with a little stutter, looking like they’ll be chasing come Christmas. And look what happened in the majority of those others: they hunt down ruthlessly and manage to go on ridiculous winning runs.

The performances haven’t been too bad recently, they’ve dropped points because of individual mistakes. Correct that and it’ll be business as usual.

Good afternoon and welcome to our Manchester City Q&A special with correspondent Jack Gaughan.

Please get your questions for Jack in via our social media accounts and we’ll get through as many as possible in the next hour.