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Preview: Manchester City visit unhappy hunting ground Villa Park

Preview: Manchester City visit unhappy hunting ground Villa Park

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Villa host City with Pep Guardiola’s squad looking to leave Birmingham with three points for the first time since 2021.

By Filip Mishov

A clash of two in-form sides led by a couple of great Spanish masterminds

Unai Emery had his groove back, Aston Villa were on a five-match winning streak across the Premier League and the Europa League, but a setback followed, with the Villans’ heavily-rotated side losing to Go Ahead Eagles. However, the Midlands’ visitors still won the xG (2.82) battle and dominated the possession in the Netherlands, which is further proof that they have turned the page in terms of their performances this season.

Just like Villa, Pep Guardiola‘s squad are riding high on confidence, with the Cityzens unbeaten across all competitions since August, with Gianluigi Donnarumma keeping a clean sheet in each of the last three games. The Premier League title contenders are hitting top form ahead of an incredibly tough fixture run, including home matches against Bournemouth, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool before November’s international break.

The Sky Blues’ last win at Villa Park dates back to 2021 and the then-champions lost in Birmingham both last season as well as the season before. Unai Emery boasts a perfect record against Pep Guardiola at Villa Park, which is both rare and impressive at the same time.

Key players

Former City youngster, Morgan Rogers is excelling under Unai Emery’s guidance and the 23-year-old is Villa’s most dangerous attacker this season. The England international is the squad’s joint-top performer in the Premier League based on goals + assists (3) alongside unlikely hero, Emiliano Buendia, and the tenacious attacking midfielder is ranking high in both chances created (7) and big chances created (3), making him a threat in and around the box.

Despite Erling Haaland scoring all the goals, Man City’s results have improved mainly due to the refinement of their defence and Ruben Dias has played a key role in steadying the ship in front of Gigi. The Portuguese centre-back has started in all but two matches across all competitions this season and his presence and leadership is a settling presence. Additionally, the vice-captain is averaging a FotMob rating of 7.5 over the past five matches, while his compatriot at right-back, Matheus Nunes also deserves a notable mention for his contribution.

Team news

Unai Emery is close to having a full squad to pick from with the exception of Youri Tielemans, who is injured and will miss Sunday’s clash, while Lucas Digne is doubtful.

Abdukodir Khusanov and Rodri are the only certain absentees for City, while Nico González is a doubt. Guardiola’s side have had an extra 48 hours more than the Villans to rest and prepare for the match, which will surely benefit the visitors from Manchester.

Prediction

With both squads enjoying a decent run of form, it is hard to pick a clear favourite, but given Aston Villa’s recent home record against Manchester City, I expect goals on either side, and if I have to pick a winner, it would be the latter, only due to having the free-scoring Erling Haaland.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Manchester City visit unhappy hunting ground Villa Park

Villa host City with Pep Guardiola’s squad looking to leave Birmingham with three points for the first time since 2021.

By Filip Mishov

A clash of two in-form sides led by a couple of great Spanish masterminds

Unai Emery had his groove back, Aston Villa were on a five-match winning streak across the Premier League and the Europa League, but a setback followed, with the Villans’ heavily-rotated side losing to Go Ahead Eagles. However, the Midlands’ visitors still won the xG (2.82) battle and dominated the possession in the Netherlands, which is further proof that they have turned the page in terms of their performances this season.

Just like Villa, Pep Guardiola‘s squad are riding high on confidence, with the Cityzens unbeaten across all competitions since August, with Gianluigi Donnarumma keeping a clean sheet in each of the last three games. The Premier League title contenders are hitting top form ahead of an incredibly tough fixture run, including home matches against Bournemouth, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool before November’s international break.

The Sky Blues’ last win at Villa Park dates back to 2021 and the then-champions lost in Birmingham both last season as well as the season before. Unai Emery boasts a perfect record against Pep Guardiola at Villa Park, which is both rare and impressive at the same time.

Key players

Former City youngster, Morgan Rogers is excelling under Unai Emery’s guidance and the 23-year-old is Villa’s most dangerous attacker this season. The England international is the squad’s joint-top performer in the Premier League based on goals + assists (3) alongside unlikely hero, Emiliano Buendia, and the tenacious attacking midfielder is ranking high in both chances created (7) and big chances created (3), making him a threat in and around the box.

Despite Erling Haaland scoring all the goals, Man City’s results have improved mainly due to the refinement of their defence and Ruben Dias has played a key role in steadying the ship in front of Gigi. The Portuguese centre-back has started in all but two matches across all competitions this season and his presence and leadership is a settling presence. Additionally, the vice-captain is averaging a FotMob rating of 7.5 over the past five matches, while his compatriot at right-back, Matheus Nunes also deserves a notable mention for his contribution.

Team news

Unai Emery is close to having a full squad to pick from with the exception of Youri Tielemans, who is injured and will miss Sunday’s clash, while Lucas Digne is doubtful.

Abdukodir Khusanov and Rodri are the only certain absentees for City, while Nico González is a doubt. Guardiola’s side have had an extra 48 hours more than the Villans to rest and prepare for the match, which will surely benefit the visitors from Manchester.

Prediction

With both squads enjoying a decent run of form, it is hard to pick a clear favourite, but given Aston Villa’s recent home record against Manchester City, I expect goals on either side, and if I have to pick a winner, it would be the latter, only due to having the free-scoring Erling Haaland.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings. Download the free app here.