Aston Villa vs Man City: Preview, Predictions, and Lineups
Manchester City travel to Villa Park on Saturday, desperate to arrest their alarming slide in form. The reigning Premier League champions are winless in their last three matches, with their most recent defeat—a late 2-1 loss to Manchester United in the derby—raising serious concerns.
On the other hand, Aston Villa, under Unai Emery, will see this as a prime opportunity to capitalize on City’s struggles. Despite their own setback against Nottingham Forest last weekend, Villa’s solid performances this season make them a formidable opponent. A win on Saturday would see the Villans leapfrog City in the table.
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, 21 December 2024
- Time: 12:30 GMT / 07:30 ET / 04:30 PT
- Location: Villa Park, Birmingham, England
- Referee: Peter Bankes
- VAR: Darren England
Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Matches)
| Aston Villa | Man City | Draws |
|---|---|---|
| 1 win | 3 wins | 1 draw |
- Last Meeting: Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa (April 2024, Premier League).
Current Form
Aston Villa
- Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa (14 Dec 2024)
- RB Leipzig 2-3 Aston Villa (10 Dec 2024)
- Aston Villa 1-0 Southampton (7 Dec 2024)
- Aston Villa 3-1 Brentford (4 Dec 2024)
- Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa (1 Dec 2024)
Manchester City
- Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United (15 Dec 2024)
- Juventus 2-0 Manchester City (11 Dec 2024)
- Crystal Palace 2-2 Manchester City (7 Dec 2024)
- Manchester City 3-0 Nottingham Forest (4 Dec 2024)
- Liverpool 2-0 Manchester City (1 Dec 2024)
Team News
Aston Villa
Unai Emery has minimal injury concerns but will be missing two key attacking players:
- Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey are sidelined with hamstring injuries.
- Ollie Watkins is expected to return to the starting XI after starting on the bench in the loss to Nottingham Forest.
- Matty Cash could continue in an advanced right-midfield role, providing defensive support for Ezri Konsa.
Predicted Lineup (4-4-1-1):
- GK: Martinez
- DEF: Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne
- MID: Cash, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn
- AM: Rogers
- FW: Watkins
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s side will be without:
- Ruben Dias (muscular issue) and Nathan Ake (hamstring injury).
- Rodri and Oscar Bobb remain long-term absentees.
Good news for City:
- Manuel Akanji is back in training and could feature.
- Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis are available, with Kovacic likely to start.
- John Stones may return to the lineup, offering defensive stability.
Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
- GK: Ederson
- DEF: Walker, Stones, Gvardiol, Lewis
- MID: Gundogan, Kovacic
- AM: Silva, De Bruyne, Doku
- FW: Haaland
Key Battles to Watch
1. Ollie Watkins vs. City’s Defense
Watkins’ movement and finishing will test City’s makeshift backline. Without Ruben Dias, City’s defense has been vulnerable, and Watkins could exploit their lack of organization.
2. Kevin De Bruyne vs. Boubacar Kamara
De Bruyne’s creative genius will be crucial for City’s attack. Kamara, Villa’s defensive midfielder, must stay disciplined to disrupt De Bruyne’s rhythm and deny him space to operate.
3. Villa’s High Press vs. City’s Build-Up Play
Villa’s energetic press, led by Watkins and McGinn, could cause problems for City’s defenders as they attempt to play out from the back.
Score Prediction
Aston Villa’s intensity and home advantage could prove decisive against a Manchester City side lacking confidence and form. Villa’s structured defense and clinical counter-attacking ability may give them the edge.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City
FAQs
1. What time does Aston Villa vs Man City kick off?
The match kicks off at 12:30 GMT / 07:30 ET / 04:30 PT on Saturday, 21 December 2024.
2. Who are the key absentees for both teams?
- Aston Villa: Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey.
- Man City: Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Rodri, and Oscar Bobb.
3. How have Man City performed recently?
City are winless in their last three matches and have only one victory in their last 11 fixtures across all competitions.
4. What is Villa’s home form like?
Villa have been strong at home this season, including wins against Brentford and Southampton earlier in December.
5. Who is likely to score for Aston Villa?
Ollie Watkins, with his pace and positioning, is a strong candidate to find the back of the net against City’s shaky defense.
