Aston Villa v Man City – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Aston Villa host Man City at Villa Park on Thursday. Villa have won 13 successive home league matches but they’re winless in 13 clashes vs Pep Guardiola’s side. The visitors are winless in three league matches with eight goals conceded.

Aston Villa Form

Villa sits 14th in the table having won nine of their first 14 matches. Going back to last term, it’s 13 home league wins on the bounce under Unai Emery. In their last 12 fixtures, their only defeat in all competitions was a surprise 2-0 defeat away to Nottingham Forest. That fine streak began with a 6-1 home destruction of Brighton back in September.

Since that loss to Forest, Villa have four wins and a draw in five fixtures. They had 2-1 home wins in the Europa Conference League against AZ Alkmaar and Legia Warsaw. In the league, they beat Fulham 3-1 at home and won 2-1 at Tottenham despite a tough first half. Villa needed a 90th-minute equaliser on Sunday to rescue a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.

Aston Villa Team News

Unai Emery remains without two long-term injury victims Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia. Bertrand Traore has a knock and is doubtful in attack. Boubacar Kamara returns from suspension in midfield.

Matty Cash will hope to be recalled at right fullback or right wingback, depending on the shape. Moussa Diaby is another pushing to start up front after being dropped at Bournemouth. Jacob Ramsey is fit after some injury troubles, but he may have to settle for a spot on the bench.

Aston Villa Motivation

At home, Villa have a lot of confidence and belief. They will see themselves as capable of beating Man City.

A draw would not be a bad result at all. Expect to see Emery attempt a risky high line in this one.

Man City Form

City have dropped points in three league matches in a row. A 4-4 draw at Chelsea saw three leads surrendered before drawing 1-1 at home to Liverpool from a winning position. After beating RB Leipzig 3-2 in the Champions League, having trailed 2-0, City gave up 2-1 and 3-2 leads in a 3-3 draw at home to Tottenham.

It was five wins in a row before this slight slump. That hot streak saw a 3-0 win at Old Trafford, a 6-1 home win over Bournemouth and six goals netted across two wins against Young Boys in Europe.

Man City Team News

Pep Guardiola is without Kevin De Bruyne and Matheus Nunes in midfield, but Mateo Kovacic is back. Rodri and Jack Grealish are suspended for this match. Jeremy Doku went off injured vs Spurs and is a slight doubt for this one.

Rico Lewis could replace Rodri in the engine room whilst Kovacic may start if Doku is ruled out. Phil Foden would play down the left in that case. Nathan Ake could return to the XI and John Stones may be fit enough to play some part as a substitute.

Man City Motivation

City needs a win, especially as Arsenal could be six points clear by the time this match kicks off.

Guardiola will be very eager to avoid going four league matches without victory. City won’t have much in terms of game-changing options on their bench for this one.

Key Stats

Aston Villa have won 13 home EPL matches in a row

Villa are winless in 13 EPL matches vs Man City (11 losses)

Aston Villa’s Watkins has scored 11 goals in his last 15 home league matches

Man City are winless in their last 3 league matches (3 draws)

Man City have lost their last 2 PL matches without Rodri

Man City’s Haaland has scored successive braces in away EPL matches

Verdict

This should be a very good match. Villa have enough to score, and City’s suspensions are a real problem. I’d still tip the visitors to leave the three points as they usually beat these opponents.

Best Bet: Man City win and Both Teams Score at 2.95

Goalscorer Tip: Haaland to score 2 or more goals at 4.75

Goalscorer Tip: Haaland and Watkins to both score anytime at 5.47

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis