Aston Villa vs Manchester City: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Manchester City's freefall in form looks like it will be around for a while, as they face an Aston Villa side restoring some form following a blip earlier this season. At home, the Villains remain the strongest, as the hosts are unbeaten in their last four home games, following two consecutive wins over Southampton (1-0) and Brentford (3-1).

Unai Emery's side have only lost once at home in the Premier League this season, and following the defeat to Arsenal in August, the home side have picked up 15 points from 21 available at Villa Park.

Manchester City are experiencing their worst run of form since 2006 under Stuart Pearce, as Pep Guardiola's side have now lost eight of their last 11 games in all competitions following the 2-1 defeat to local rivals Manchester United. In this fixture, both teams have scored in six of the previous seven meetings, with the visitors failing to keep a clean sheet in the last seven meetings.

We are leaning towards an Aston Villa win to take advantage of Pep Guardiola’s current misery.

Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City.

Aston Villa host Manchester City at Villa Park, as Pep Guardiola’s side are now in danger of being dragged into a fight for European places, now their title aspirations are seemingly over.

Date: 21/12/2024
Location: Villa Park, Birmingham.
Kick-Off: 12.30 pm

Unai Emery’s side are looking to establish themselves as a perennial European contender once again this season in the Premier League and potentially in the UEFA Champions League. The Villain's rise under Unai Emery has seen the home side once again competing for the top four, and this season, the hosts are certainly capable of achieving this feat again. Aston Villa are sixth in the Premier League this season, only two points behind Manchester City and three points behind Nottingham Forest.

As for Manchester City, this has arguably been the worst period under Pep Guardiola, following their 2-1 defeat to local rivals Manchester United in the Manchester Derby. Manchester City faces a battle to finish inside the top four after their recent results have drawn them into the chasing pack. Their recent form is the worst in the club’s history since 2006 when Stuart Pearce managed the club. The Citizens are in fifth place, two points ahead of Aston Villa, knowing a win could move them back into the top four.

The game will be available on TNT Sports 1.

Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey are likely to be unavailable for Unai Emery.

John Stones could feature after seeming likely to make his return in the Manchester derby. Mateo Kovacic should start in this game, having made a second-half substitute appearance against Manchester United.

Pep Guardiola will hope the recent history between the two teams will fall in their favour at the weekend. Manchester City have won three of the last five meetings between the two teams, although the Citizens are winless in their previous two visits to Villa Park. Manchester City have a greater historical advantage in this fixture, having won 16 of the last 20 meetings between the two sides, with Aston Villa only winning twice and drawing twice.

Aston Villa are heading into this game following three wins from their previous five games in all competitions after their defeat to Nottingham Forest (2-1). The Villains have picked up impressive wins over the likes of RB Leipzig (2-3), Southampton (1-0) and Brentford (3-1). The hosts have been in impressive home form, having only lost once at home this season in the Premier League and twice in all competitions.

Aston Villa have gained eight points across European and domestic competition in their last four, including two consecutive wins in the Premier League against Brentford (3-1) and Southampton (1-0). Aston Villa have averaged 1.88 points per game at home this season whilst remaining unbeaten in their last five in the Premier League with two wins and three draws.

Manchester City are in abysmal form heading into this game, as the current Premier League champions have one win in 11 games in all competitions, having lost eight of their last 11. Since the 1-0 win against Southampton, Manchester City have lost five of their previous seven Premier League games, with only one draw and one win in those seven games. Since the 1st of November, Manchester City have averaged 0.57 points per game - the fewest points average in the Premier League since that date.

Away from home, the Citizens have been a pale imitation of themselves, losing three of their previous five league games on their travels. The visitors for this game have averaged 1.38 points per game on their travels, with defeats against Liverpool (2-0), Brighton (2-1) and Bournemouth (2-1). Their most recent away game ended in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.

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