4 ways City can line up without Aguero, Fernandinho

Manchester City was dead and buried against Chelsea in the 96th minute of Saturday's clash, but then an act of petulance from Sergio Aguero has thrown Pep Guardiola's festive plans into disarray.

The Argentinian's appalling challenge on David Luiz was hit with a four-match ban on Monday, and the ensuing brawl in the 3-1 defeat saw Fernandinho's neck-grab of Cesc Fabregas also punished with a red card and immediate three-game suspension.

In a minute of unnecessary madness, City lost its merciless hitman in attack and fulcrum of its midfield, leaving Guardiola frantically scribbling on his notepad ahead of Premier League tilts with Leicester City, Watford, Arsenal, and Hull City.

Here are four ways the Spanish tactician can address the losses of Aguero and Fernandinho:

3-2-4-1

The innovative and regular shape of Guardiola's lot has been a 3-2-4-1, where Fernandinho often dropped deepest in the lineup and allowed Ilkay Gundogan to chip away at the opposition's advanced midfielders and be a late guest in attacks.

In a like-for-like change, Kelechi Iheanacho steps in for Aguero in the attack, and Fernando, who's much less mobile and intelligent in possession than Fernandinho, would step in, and has played well in his brief showings under Guardiola.

There is an inevitable temptation for the gaffer to try out a 4-3-3 shape that he popularised at Barcelona, but lacking Fernandinho means that, aside from Gundogan and Silva, the only tireless legs that could be fielded in the middle three would be Fabian Delph, but his fitness struggles are well documented.

4-1-4-1

Another system Guardiola has used is a 4-1-4-1 that looks simple on paper but adopts a fluidity that makes it hard to comprehend.

Gundogan would have the most demanding task as a quintessential box-to-box midfielder, providing vital cover in front of the back four to ensure Fernando isn't exposed, but also arriving in and around the box with Frank Lampard-esque timing and penetration.

The biggest tweak here, however, is Kevin De Bruyne's usage as a false nine - both he and Nolito are adept in this role - that would significantly decrease the Belgian's chances to pick locks with his wide array of passing, but does give an ultra-attacking option of David Silva operating as a trequartista just behind him.

3-4-3

Exactly the same formation and personnel as used in the weekend dismissal from Antonio Conte's throng, but with Iheanacho again replacing Aguero and then Yaya Toure assuming a busy yet disciplined spot in the midfield.

Jesus Navas and Leroy Sane put in commendable performances as stand-in wing-backs, both showing an adroitness to get forward like Victor Moses but missing the natural defensive mind of Marcos Alonso. Given the susceptibility of City's back three, the latter aspect was costly.

What this arrangement does render is valuable support to Iheanacho, who has a tendency to go missing as a lone man when there isn't incisive play and crosses coming from the wings. Although Navas and Sane could bring that on occasion, he'd instead be underpinned by De Bruyne in a free role and Silva's ability to close down, infiltrate space, and play balls through the tightest of gaps.

Toure gets the nod ahead of Fernando thanks to his superior physicality and proficiency in finding a pass quicker when under the close attentions of midfield rivals. He could do a better impression of Nemanja Matic in the middle of the park than Fernando.

4-2-3-1

A Premier League staple for the past few years - or until strategic pioneers Guardiola and Conte joined the league last summer - has been the 4-2-3-1.

Gundogan and Toure are at times absent from defensive responsibilities, but a back four behind would provide additional cover - even if the compromise is the untidy sliding tackles and scant concentration of Nicolas Otamendi.

De Bruyne would undoubtedly drift inside, giving license to Bacary Sagna or Pablo Zabaleta to overlap while hugging the touchline in order to stretch the field and therefore loosen up more space for Sterling to invade on the other flank.

Silva, one of the most consistent members of the Guardiola era so far, would continue to press as he's done so well, and when in possession will patiently orchestrate matters from the edge of the box.