Manchester City enters this match against Aston Villa on the heels of four wins and two draws from their last six matches across all competitions. Currently fourth in the Premier League table, the reigning champions are striving to secure a Champions League spot for the 2025/26 season. With Chelsea and Newcastle United closing in, Pep Guardiola’s squad can’t afford to drop points.
Aston Villa comes into this game with confidence after an emphatic win over Newcastle United, preceded by a victory against Paris Saint-Germain. Eager to cause an upset away from home, they possess the quality to challenge Manchester City. The home team will need to be at their best to secure a win.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester City
Manchester City will be without Rodri (knee injury), John Stones (thigh), Manuel Akanji (groin), and Nathan Ake (ankle). Erling Haaland (ankle) and Ederson (groin) are also sidelined. Manchester City is expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Stefan Ortega in goal. Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly will be the full-backs. At the heart of the defense, Ruben Dias will partner with Josko Gvardiol.
Ilkay Gundogan and Nico Gonzalez will anchor the midfield, aiming to control the tempo. Kevin De Bruyne will start as the attacking midfielder. Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden will provide pace and flair on the wings, while Omar Marmoush is set to lead the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gundogan, Gonzalez; Foden, De Bruyne, Doku; Marmoush.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa has a clean bill of health with no injury concerns. They are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Emiliano Martinez in goal. Matty Cash and Lucas Digne will be the full-backs. Ezri Konsa will form the central defensive partnership alongside Axel Disasi.
John McGinn and Youri Tielemans will aim to control the midfield. Leon Bailey and Marcus Rashford will add pace, flair, and creativity from the wings. Morgan Rogers will start as the attacking midfielder, while Ollie Watkins leads the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Disasi, Digne; McGinn, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers, Rashford; Watkins.
Key Stats
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Manchester City have scored at least two goals in their last 15 home matches against Aston Villa in all competitions.
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Manchester City have won their last nine home matches against Aston Villa in all competitions.
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There have been 20 goals scored in the last six meetings between these two teams.
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Five of the last six matches between these two teams have seen both sides score.
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Aston Villa is unbeaten in five of their last six matches in all competitions.
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Manchester City is unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions.
Player to Watch: Kevin De Bruyne
The Belgian midfielder is Manchester City’s key player to watch. With Aston Villa performing well, De Bruyne’s creativity and vision will be essential to unlocking their defense. His passing range and technique can create opportunities, and his ability to score goals makes him a constant threat. Manchester City will need him to step up to secure the win.
Manchester City vs Aston Villa Prediction
Manchester City 2-1 Aston Villa
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