Aston Villa takes on Manchester City today in a crucial Premier League encounter. Villa’s impressive home form will be tested against a City side eager to shake off their recent struggles on the road. Here’s everything you need to know about this highly anticipated matchup.
Team Updates
Aston Villa:
- Leon Bailey is back after recovering from a hamstring injury, and Tyrone Mings returns following illness.
- Jacob Ramsey remains sidelined.
Manchester City:
- Ruben Dias is out for up to four weeks with a muscle injury, while Ederson’s fitness is in doubt.
- Nathan Ake is unavailable, but Manuel Akanji and John Stones have resumed full training and could play. Rico Lewis is also back from suspension.
Key Match Facts
Head-to-Head:
- Aston Villa’s last win over Manchester City was a 1-0 home victory in December 2023, their only success in the last 17 meetings.
- Villa could secure back-to-back home league wins against City for the first time since 1993.
- A victory today would mark City’s 31st Premier League win against Villa, tying their record for most wins against a single opponent (shared with Newcastle).
Aston Villa Highlights:
- Villa is unbeaten in their last seven home Premier League games, with only one loss in their last 13 at Villa Park.
- Against teams currently above them in the league table, Villa has struggled, earning just one point from five encounters.
- Jhon Duran’s remarkable form continues, with goals in all five of his starts this season.
Manchester City Insights:
- City is winless in their last seven away games across all competitions, a streak not seen since 2011.
- Defensive frailties persist, with the team conceding multiple goals in seven consecutive away fixtures.
- Despite creating a league-high 282 goal attempts this season, City’s 9.9% shot conversion rate is their lowest since 2006-07.
- Phil Foden and Jack Grealish will be under pressure to end their respective scoring droughts in today’s game.
Prediction
With Villa’s solid home record and City’s determination to bounce back, today’s clash promises to be an intense battle. Both teams have points to prove, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter.
