Manchester City will host Aston Villa at the Etihad on Tuesday, looking to continue their impressive run of form.
Manchester City are coming into this game vs Aston Villa on the back of four wins and two draws from their last six outings in all competitions. The Premier League champions are fourth in the league table, and they will be hoping to secure Champions League qualification for the 2025/26 season.
Pep Guardiola’s men cannot afford to drop points at this stage of the season, especially with clubs like Chelsea and Newcastle United closing in on them. Manchester City will be desperate for a win here. Meanwhile, Aston Villa are coming into this game on the back of a thumping win over Newcastle United, and they managed to beat PSG prior to that.
The Villans are full of confidence right now, and they will certainly look to pull off an upset away from home. They have the quality to cause problems for Manchester City and the home team will have to be at their best in order to get a win here. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester City
Manchester City will be without Rodri due to a knee injury. John Stones and Manuel Akanji will miss out with thigh and groin injuries, respectively, while Nathan Ake has an ankle issue. Erling Haaland has an ankle injury, and Ederson is sidelined with a groin issue.
Manchester City will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Aston Villa, with Stefan Ortega in goal. Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly will start as the full-backs, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Ruben Dias will start alongside Josko Gvardiol at the heart of the defence.
llkay Gundogan will add control and defensive cover to the side, and Nico Gonzalez will add creativity and composure alongside him. Kevin De Bruyne will start as the attacking midfielder, and he will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates.
Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden will start in the wide areas, and they will add pace and flair to the side. Finally, Omar Marmoush is set to lead the line for Manchester City vs Aston Villa at the Etihad on Tuesday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gundogan, Gonzalez; Foden, De Bruyne, Doku; Marmoush
Aston Villa
Aston Villa do not have any injury issues. They are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Emiliano Martinez in goal. Matty Cash and Lucas Digne will start as the full-backs. They will look to keep things tight at the back and hit Manchester City on the break. Ezri Konsa will form the central defensive partnership alongside Axel Disasi.
As for the midfield unit, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans will look to add control and drive from the middle of the park. Leon Bailey and Marcus Rashford will add pace, flair and creativity from the wide areas.
Meanwhile, Morgan Rogers will start as the attacking midfielder, and he will look to create goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates. Finally, Ollie Watkins will spearhead the Aston Villa attack vs Manchester City on Tuesday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Disasi, Digne; McGinn, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers, Rashford; Watkins
Key Stats
- Manchester City have scored at least two goals in their last 15 home matches against Aston Villa in all competitions.
- Manchester City have won their last nine home matches against Aston Villa in all competitions.
- 20 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two teams.
- Five of the last six matches between these two teams have seen both sides get on the score sheet.
- Aston Villa are unbeaten in five of the last six matches in all competitions.
- Manchester City are unbeatable in the last six matches in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Kevin De Bruyne
The Belgian midfielder is our key player to watch out for. Manchester City will need him to step up and produce a strong performance here. Aston Villa have been quite impressive in recent weeks, and De Bruyne could help create opportunities for his teammates.
He could open up the Aston Villa defence with his passing, technique and vision. The experienced midfielder will look to create chances for his teammates and add to his goal tally for the season. Manchester City need him to step up and deliver if they want to win the game.
Prediction
Manchester City 2-1 Aston Villa
Both teams are an impressive form right now, and this is likely to be a close contest. Manchester City are a better team on paper and they will be desperate to secure champions League qualification. The reigning Premier League champions have been formidable at home and they will look to continue their impressive form at the art Stadium against Aston Villa.
Manchester City have scored ten goals in the last three home meetings vs Aston Villa, and they will be the favourites here. Meanwhile, Aston Villa have picked up a win over Manchester City earlier in the season. They are likely to cause problems for the home team. Both teams are likely to get on the score sheet, but Manchester City has the attacking depth and quality to edge this one.
