Man City vs Aston Villa Match Analysis & Prediction
03/04/2024 10:15 pm
Third plays host to fourth in Wednesday’s Premier League showdown at the Etihad Stadium, as Manchester City pit their wits against Aston Villa.
The reigning champions settled for a point in a goalless draw with title rivals Arsenal at the weekend, while Unai Emery’s side were convincing 2-0 winners over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
As was the case in October’s equally cagey affair at the Emirates, just three shots on target were fired in the entirety of the tense tactical battle – only one of which came Man City’s way – and as a result, the Citizens still sit in the bronze medal position in the Premier League standings.
One point seperates Pep Guardiola’s side from second-placed Arsena, who also return to action on Wednesday night – facing it off with Luton Town – but Liverpool have now strode three clear on Man City, who need a five-goal swing in their favour on Wednesday to usurp the Reds for at least 24 hours.
Despite losing their red-hot streak in front of the Etihad nets, Sunday’s draw with Arsenal was Man City’s 23rd game without a defeat across all competitions since December, although there are no prizes on offer for guessing who Guardiola’s side were last condemned to defeat against.
Fresh from his first call-up to the France squad in 12 months, the rejuvenated Moussa Diaby was the catalyst behind Aston Villa’s two-goal beating of West Midlands rivals Wolves on Saturday, opening the scoring in the first half of the Villa Park battle with a thumping left-footed strike.
The former Bayer Leverkusen winger then turned provider for Ezri Konsa, whose mishit cross ended up deceiving Jose Sa and bouncing over the line at the back post to rubber-stamp a routing two-goal victory for the Lions, who therefore remain in control of their top-four fate.
Taking just one point from two matches with West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur opened the door for the latter to upset the Champions League apple cart, but Aston Villa still boast a three-point advantage over the Lilywhites, who do have a game in hand but possess a slightly inferior goal difference.
Man City vs. Aston Villa Head to head
In the 163 previous meetings between these two teams, Man City have claimed 73 victories while Villa have won 50, and they have drawn in 40. Villa have scored 222 goals and conceded 276 in the process.
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01/12/2021Aston Villa1Manchester City2Premier League
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22/05/2022Manchester City3Aston Villa2Premier League
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03/09/2022Aston Villa1Manchester City1Premier League
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12/02/2023Manchester City3Aston Villa1Premier League
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06/12/2023Aston Villa1Manchester City0Premier League
Man City Team News
Nathan Ake had to be taken off in the first half of Sunday’s draw with Arsenal with an unspecified concern, while neither Ederson nor Kyle Walker recovered from their thigh injuries in time either.
Rico Lewis should replace the stricked Ake for Wednesday’s game, while Jeremy Doku and former Villain Jack Grealish might also come into Guardiola’s thinking out wide given the tight turnaround.
Man City's Last 5 Matches
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03/03/2024Manchester City3Manchester United1Premier League
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06/03/2024Manchester City3FC Copenhagen1Champions League
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10/03/2024Liverpool1Manchester City1Premier League
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16/03/2024Manchester City2Newcastle United0FA Cup
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31/03/2024Manchester City0Arsenal0Premier League
Aston Villa Team News
Aston Villa have been dealt a worrying attacking concern ahead of this contest, as Ollie Watkins succumbed to a hamstring injury in the win over Wolves and had to be replaced by Jhon Duran.
Emery is definitely without Tyrone Mings (knee), Boubacar Kamara (knee), Emiliano Buendia (knee) and Matty Cash (thigh), as well as banned John McGinn.
Aston Villa's Last 5 Matches
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07/03/2024Ajax0Aston Villa0Europa Conference League
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10/03/2024Aston Villa0Tottenham Hotspur4Premier League
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14/03/2024Aston Villa4Ajax0Europa Conference League
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17/03/2024West Ham United1Aston Villa1Premier League
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30/03/2024Aston Villa2Wolverhampton Wanderers0Premier League
Man City vs. Aston Villa: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
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