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

This game will be extremely tough to call from the outset, with both sides heavily involved in the race for the Champions League places this season. Aston Villa are in tremendous form heading into this game, and their momentum following the PSG game, could be enough to sneak a result past Manchester City.

Manchester City are unbeaten in their previous five league games. However, the home side have dropped points twice in their last five. In this fixture, Manchester City have a poor record defensively, with the home side having failed to keep a clean sheet in the previous eight meetings between the two sides.

Aston Villa have won their last five consecutive league matches, and Unai Emery’s side can certainly pose problems for Manchester City, with the Villains having scored first in six of their previous seven games in all competitions. Interestingly, in this fixture, both teams have scored in seven of the last eight meetings between the two sides.

We are leading towards a victory for Aston Villa here. Whilst this fixture could genuinely go either way, Unai Emery’s side should have the confidence to go to the Etihad and obtain a victory.

Manchester City 1-2 Aston Villa

A huge game in the battle for UEFA Champions League qualification places takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, as Manchester City host Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.

Date: 22/04/2025
Location: Etihad Stadium, Manchester.
Kick-Off: 8 pm

Approaching the end of the season, the only places left to play for are the European places, whereas, as it stands, up to five teams could potentially be fighting for those last three Champions League spots - presuming Liverpool and Arsenal remain in the top two. Newcastle United, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Chelsea are all separated by five points (depending on Chelsea’s result against Fulham).

Manchester City’s season has been a pale comparison to their usual title-winning ways, with Pep Guardiola set to finish this season with potentially his lowest finish as Manchester City manager, since the Spaniard finished third in 2016/17. The home side are in fourth place in the Premier League after 33 games played and are a point clear of Aston Villa. A win against Unai Emery’s side on Tuesday would strengthen their position in the top five, with an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on the horizon next weekend.

Aston Villa were defeated by Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, despite a valiant effort in the leg at Villa Park. Following their excellent 4-1 win against Newcastle United, the Villains are now only a point away from Manchester City and level on points with Nottingham Forest. A win for Aston Villa will leapfrog the visitors past Manchester City, ahead of the FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace at the weekend.

The game will be available to watch on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Premier League.

Manchester City Team News

Ederson, Erling Haaland, Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Nathan Ake & Rodri are the main absentees for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola has no other injury or suspension concerns.

Aston Villa Team News

Unai Emery has the luxury of a fully fit squad to choose from as his side juggles league and domestic cup commitments this week.

Manchester City:

Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions, following their impressive 2-0 victory against Everton with goals from Nico O’Reilly and Mateo Kovacic. Manchester City have won three of their previous five league matches, securing victories against Everton (0-2), Crystal Palace (5-2) and Leicester City (2-0), whilst drawing twice against Manchester United (0-0) and Brighton & Hove Albion (2-2).

The home side are also unbeaten in their previous four matches in all competitions at the Etihad, with their previous league defeat at home coming against eventual league champions Liverpool (0-2).

Aston Villa:

Aston Villa are in excellent form, as the Villains are coming into this game with three consecutive victories, with wins against Southampton (0-3), PSG (3-2) & Newcastle United (4-1). Aston Villa have also won their previous five consecutive league matches, with their last defeat taking place against Crystal Palace at the end of February.

The Villains have also been assured away from home, with three wins on the bounce, with further victories against Brentford (0-1) and Brighton & Hove Albion (0-3).

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