Clouded in controversy off the pitch, Manchester City continue to do the business on it, but their 100% Premier League record is in jeopardy against an improving Aston Villa side who’ve thrived in this fixture recently.
Match News and Current Form
Aston Villa stretched their unbeaten run to six matches across all competitions (W5, D1) in midweek UEFA Champions League action with a routine 3-1 win over Viking. Unai Emery’s side seem to be over their now customary early-season wobble, though they’re still chasing a first Premier League win of the campaign at Villa Park (D1, L2). They last had a longer wait for a home win at the start of a season in 2015/16 when they were relegated, but the high-profile nature of this fixture could suit them as Villa are unbeaten in their last three home league games against the table toppers of the day (W2, D1).
Manchester City’s response to being found guilty of over 100 Premier League rule breaches has been spirited domestically, winning both league games since while they also corrected course in Europe midweek by thrashing AEK Athens 5-1. As speculation continues to swirl about their potential sanctions, Enzo Maresca’s men are chasing history as they look to become just the eighth English top-flight team to win their first eight games of a season. City appear unlikely to be stopped on the road, where they’ve won all four competitive matches this season by a combined 10-1 scoreline, keeping a clean sheet in each of the last three.
Head-to-Head History
Villa have won four of the last six Premier League H2Hs (L2), as many as in the prior 35 such meetings (D5, L26). Having lost the last two, City could be beaten in three consecutive league matches by Villa for the first time since the 1960s here.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Villa have registered the fewest shots on target of any side in the Premier League this season (22).
Emery has managed a career-high 11 games against City without overseeing a draw (W4, L7).
City have scored just one of their eight away league goals this term before half-time.
Five of City’s last six competitive games produced over 10.5 corners.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Emi Buendia was on target in midweek and has seen three of his last four Premier League goals arrive beyond the 75th minute, including the winner the last time Villa beat the league’s table toppers at home. Ballon d’Or nominee Erling Haaland is the fastest player in Premier League history to 100 goals, but after netting in his first meeting with Villa, he’s blanked in his last four for his second-longest run without a goal against a single opponent in a top-five European league.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Johan Manzambi missed Villa’s midweek game, just as Matheus Nunes, Nico O’Reilly, Mateo Kovačić and Antoine Semenyo did for City.
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Betting Analysis
Villa are understandably unfancied given City’s Premier League performances this term, but their H2H returns and enjoyment of the big occasions make a home win a tempting angle.
Author: Ryan Fisher