Prediction: Manchester City vs Aston Villa

Verdict: Manchester City win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to make an immediate return to winning ways on Sunday afternoon, Manchester City will welcome Aston Vila to the Etihad.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, putting in a toothless display last weekend as they were hit with a costly 1-0 loss away at Tottenham, Manchester City will know that they missed out on a golden chance in north London. Still sat five points adrift of Arsenal and in a real uphill struggle to defend their Premier League crown in 2023, Pep Guardiola’s side are also dealing with a string of issues behind the scenes. However, while the Sky Blues might have seen their three-match domestic winning run come to an abrupt end in the capital, the former Barcelona boss will be glad to make a return to home soil here. Last seen at the Etihad extending on their FA Cup adventure thanks to a 1-0 victory against the Gunners on January 27th, City have lost just a single domestic showdown in front of their own supporters since back in April. Desperate to make an immediate return to winning ways this weekend, Guardiola will know that his side can not afford many more slip-ups.

Team News

Manchester City will once again be without England international John Stones this weekend. However, Phil Foden should feature after overcoming an illness.

Shockingly left out of Guardiola’s starting XI for last weekend’s 1-0 loss away at Tottenham, Kevin De Bruyne looks set to make a full return here. Former Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish will be hoping to once again keep his place from the start.

Aston Villa

As for the visitors, while Aston Villa might have opened Unai Emery’s tenure in charge with an eye-catching bounce, the former Arsenal boss saw his side come crashing back down to earth last weekend. Eventually getting hit with an action-packed 4-2 loss at home against Leicester, Sunday’s guests will know that they face a huge challenge here. However, losing just one of their last five Premier League matchups and sat just a single point adrift of breaking into the top-half, Emery’s side will be desperate to spring a major upset in Manchester. Nevertheless, although Villa might have won each of their last three top-flight contests on the road, they should be worried by their downbeat record against the Premier League giants. Despite snatching a 1-1 draw when they welcomed City to the Midlands back in September, they have failed to win any of their previous 14 domestic meetings against the defending champions.

Team News

Aston Villa will once again be without long-term absentees Jed Steer and Diego Carlos when they travel to the Etihad on Sunday afternoon. Bertrand Traore could feature after returning to training earlier in the week.

Now bagging back-to-back Premier League strikes, Ollie Watkins will spearhead Emery’s charge this weekend. The England international should be joined in attack by Leon Bailey.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off at Villa Park on September 3rd, they played out a 1-1 draw in the Midlands.
• However, Aston Villa have failed to win any of their last 14 straight domestic meetings against Sunday’s hosts.
• Manchester City have suffered just a single domestic defeat at the Etihad since back in April.
• Aston Villa have won each of their last three Premier League away fixtures by a 5-1 aggregate score.
• Striking sensation Erling Haaland has already notched 25 Premier League strikes so far this season.

Conclusion

Suffering what could be a costly 1-0 loss away at Spurs last weekend, there is no doubt that Manchester City will be glad to make a return to home soil here. Still sitting five points adrift of Arsenal, the Sky Blues will know that they must find an immediate response on Sunday afternoon. Although Aston Villa might have continued to impress with their recent flurry outside of the Midlands, Emery’s side will know that they face a huge challenge here. Failing to win any of their last 14 straight domestic meetings against the defending Premier League champions, City are rightfully tipped as a runaway pick here. In what could prove to be an enjoyable affair from the Etihad, we’re backing a home victory for the English giants.

Verdict: Manchester City win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Unibet