Ten players with the most combined appearances for Man City and Aston Villa since 1997

Ahead of their clash on Tuesday evening, we take a look at the top 10 players with the most combined appearances for Man City and Aston Villa since 1997.

1 - Gareth Barry (614)

With the most Premier League appearances in history to his name, it's no surprise to see Gareth Barry's name top this list.

Barry enjoyed an 11-year spell at Aston Villa before making the switch to Manchester City where he would win an FA Cup and Premier League title.

2 - Richard Dunne (463)

With over 352 Manchester City games to his name, Richard Dunne is amongst the leading appearance makers in the club's history.

His tally of 463 matches means that he has represented the Citizens on more occasions than the likes of Joe Hart, Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling.

3 - Jack Grealish (368)*

Signed for £100m in the summer of 2021, Jack Grealish possesses supreme talent.

His 213 matches for Villa slightly his ongoing Man City haul of 155, but he has more than made up for that in his collection of trophies.

The 29-year-old has picked up seven major honours in Manchester including the UEFA Champions League in 2022-23.

4 - Kyle Walker (337)*

A brief loan spell at Aston Villa matched with his hugely successful time in Manchester earns him fourth spot on this list.

Premier League champion on six occasions, Walker is regarded as one of the best full-backs ever produced by England.

5 - James Milner (329)

James Milner's career at the top level of English football has been nothing short of remarkable.

After starting his career at Leeds, he has racked up north of 800 matches during his 23-year stay at the top level.

The 2009-10 PFA Young Player of the Year went the way of Milner during his time at Aston Villa before he made a £26m move to Manchester City.

6 - Darius Vassell (325)

A product of the Aston Villa academy, Darius Vassell put up club record goal tallies whilst in the youth team at the Midlands club.

Going on to net 35 times for the senior side before his move to City in 2005, Vassell also won 22 caps for England.

7 - Micah Richards (276)

Hailed as one of England's most exciting defensive talents at the time of his Man City breakthrough, Richards was one of the few players to bridge the pre and post takeover era at the club.

A brief stint on loan at Fiorentina would precede his move to Aston Villa where the England international would encounter numerous injury issues.

8 - Stephen Ireland (233)

His switch from City to Villa came as part of Gareth Barry's move in the opposite direction.

Ireland played 175 times for the Citizens, winning Player of the Season in 2009.

9 - Fabian Delph (223)

His 2015 move to Manchester City was one of huge controversy.

Delph had made clear in an Aston Villa club statement that he would remain in the Midlands but his decision to pursue a move to City just weeks later didn't go down all too well with the Villa Park faithful.

The Bradford-born midfielder would go on to pick up two Premier League titles during a four-year stay at the Etihad.

10 - David James (184)

The final name on the list, David James was an excellent shot-stopper in his prime and briefly held the record for the most clean sheets in Premier League history.

His time at Manchester City is probably best remembered for being deployed as an attacker by then manager Stuart Pearce in a last ditch attempt to qualify for the UEFA Cup against Middlesbrough.