Aston Villa vs Manchester City prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2023-12-05 20:15.
[p]Ollie Watkins netted a 90th-minute equaliser for Aston Villa on Sunday, as Unai Emery’s side twice came from behind to claim a point at Bournemouth in the Premier League (PL). Given their opposition’s lowly position, that would have felt like a missed opportunity for the Villans, especially as a three-point haul would have taken them above their opponents here, Manchester City.[/p]
[p]This midweek, they’ll host Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning side at Villa Park and will be hoping to snap a 13-match winless PL H2H streak (D2, L11) to leapfrog City. Never in Villa fans’ wildest dreams did they think that would be the case here when the fixtures were released back in June, but the hosts seem well placed to do just that, as they’ve won an astonishing 13 consecutive PL home matches, scoring 2+ goals in 11 of those victories.[/p]
[p]Reigning PL champions Manchester City last lost at Villa Park over a decade ago in September 2013, but travel south frustrated after conceding a 90th-minute equaliser in a pulsating 3-3 draw with Tottenham. Guardiola admitted post-match that his side are “struggling” of late, as while they’re unbeaten in nine matches (W6, D3), they’ve won just one of their last four in all competitions (D3), conceding ten goals across those contests.[/p]
[p]That said, there’s still plenty of positives for the away side who travel to the Midlands having won 25 of their last 26 PL matches played on a Wednesday (D1). City also enter this latest matchday as the competition’s top scorers (G36), with seven of those strikes coming across their prior two away PL fixtures against tough opposition in Chelsea (D 4-4) and fierce rivals Manchester United (W 3-0). [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Current Villa and former Manchester City midfielder Douglas Luiz has struck six goals this season, five of which have come on home soil in the PL. City’s Phil Foden took his seasonal tally to seven goals at the weekend by scoring against Spurs, whilst he netted in this fixture during the 2020/21 season. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Aston Villa have won just four of their 56 PL games against reigning champions (D15, L37) – none of those victories came against seven-time winners City. [/p]