We take on Unai Emery’s side on Wednesday, with a 20:15 (UK) kick-off at the Etihad Stadium.
O’Neill and Vassell have feet in both camps – O’Neill having played for City and managed Villa while Vassell played for both City and Villa.
O’Neill signed for City in the summer of 1981, John Bond paying £275,000 to acquire the services of the dynamic midfielder who had lifted two European Cups, the League Championship and two League Cups at Nottingham Forest under Brian Clough.
But things didn’t go to plan for O’Neill, who played just 16 games and departed after just the one season.
At Villa, in the dugout, he arrived in the summer of 2006 and brought in a brand of exhilarating football, driven forward by star players like John Carew, Gareth Barry, James Milner, Stewart Downing, Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor.
He helped Villa finish sixth three seasons in succession in 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10 as well as reaching the League Cup final before resigning ahead of the 2010/11 campaign.
Vassell joined Villa in July 1996 as a YTS trainee and quickly impressed with his mesmeric blend of pace, power and finishing.
Lightning fast, he was incredibly never on the losing side in any of the 46 Premier League games in which he scored.
At Villa, Vassell scored 45 goals in 199 games.
Vassell was signed by City boss Stuart Pearce in July 2005 and went on to score 22 goals in 124 games across four seasons in sky blue.
He received international recognition, too, representing England 22 times, scoring six goals.
Our Matchday Centre live text updates start at 18:15 (UK) while the Matchday Live show begins at approximately 19:15 (UK) so our guests can discuss team news as they get it.
During the game you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Kit Symons while our text commentary continues.
The comprehensive coverage continues after the final whistle, with a detailed match report and plenty of reaction from Pep Guardiola and players available soon after full-time.
You’ll be able to watch brief highlights, extended highlights – and a CITY+ full-match replay - from midnight.
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