Two of the best teams in this season’s Premier League meet for what is sure to be a cracking game between two of the highest-scoring sides.
Manchester City are at home to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa who have been stunning challengers for a top-four place so far this term.
Leon Bailey’s deflected strike earned Villa a deserved 1-0 win over Man City that lifted them above the reigning champions in the reverse fixture. That win maintained Villa’s perfect home record as it ensured four Premier League games without a win at the time for Pep Guardiola’s side.
City are as strong as ever following a spectacular 2023 that saw them lift all five major trophies, they began the 2023-24 campaign by breezing past the likes of Burnley, Newcastle, Sheffield United, and Fulham in their first four matches displaying their immaculate control and game management.
The first international break did not slow them down as they returned with a bang against West Ham United, beating them 3-1 and then seeing off Nottingham Forest 2-0 despite losing influential midfielder Rodri to a red card.
A midweek cup defeat to Newcastle was seen as a blip but it manifested into something greater when Man City lost 2-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Then, the top-of-the-table clash against Arsenal was decided by Gabriel Martinelli’s deflected shot at the Emirates Stadium.
That loss to the Gunners was particularly catastrophic as they lost ground at the top of the table but then responded in typical fashion with wins over Brighton, Manchester United, and Bournemouth before drawing 4-4 with Chelsea after one of the most epic games of the season.
More points were dropped in successive league games against Liverpool, Tottenham, and Aston Villa but they beat Luton and drew Crystal Palace before traveling to Saudi Arabia for the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Mancunians have regained lost ground since that triumph in the desert with successive wins over Everton, Sheffield United, Huddersfield, Newcastle, Tottenham, Burnley and Brentford. After being helped by rivals dropping points, City are two points behind Liverpool with a game in hand while they are yet to hit top gear this season.
Aston Villa, for their part, have had a memorable campaign which got off to a nightmare start with a 5-1 thumping at Newcastle in the first match of the season. The Villans roared back with emphatic victories over Everton and Burnley that saw seven goals scored and only one conceded.
Liverpool were too good for them in a 3-0 defeat at Anfield but they got three points in their next match with a late comeback against Crystal Palace. Then, a 1-0 win at Chelsea and 6-1 thrashing of Brighton shone the spotlight brightly at Villa Park as they kept up their unbeaten run with a draw at Wolves and another win against West Ham.
Furthermore, John McGinn, Moussa Diaby, and a Tom Lockyer own goal got Villa a 3-1 victory over Luton Town for their fifth win in six Premier League games. Nottingham Forest were 2-0 victors next time out but Villa responded brilliantly with a ten-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Man United won 3-2 at home after Villa raced into a two-goal lead yet they bounced back with four undefeated games until they lost their 17-match home unbeaten run in a 3-1 loss to Newcastle.
In typical fashion, the Lions responded with a 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United that keeps them in the top four. Having ended their six-game winless run against Man City in their last meeting, Aston Villa will be looking forward to another upset here.
Indeed, any form of a positive result at the home of the champions will boost their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Match tickets
This Premier League game takes place on Wednesday, April 3 2024 with kick-off scheduled for 7 PM UK time. Match tickets are available for sale on each club’s website but you can expect them to be quickly sold out given the high demand.
Man City are gradually getting into their winning groove so fans will rarely want to miss any game as they target an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title. Aston Villa also have their sights set on a historic campaign and their fans will be desperate to visit the Etihad Stadium for a big game.
Supporters still needing Man City vs Aston Villa tickets may be lucky to find them on a ticket resale site.
Team news
Following the recent returns of Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, John Stones, and Manuel Akanji are also back in contention which gives Man City a clean bill of health.
Villa, on the other hand, is braced to lose ever-present defender Ezri Konsa for a significant period after he suffered a knee injury against Sheffield United. He joins Tyrone Mings on the injury list but Pau Torres is back having been out with an ankle injury.
Line-ups
The priority for Pep Guardiola as the business end of the season approaches is to keep his team fresh while they take on challenges in multiple competitions.
Hence, rotations are required but we are likely to see his strongest team take on Aston Villa.
Man City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Rodri; Silva, De Bruyne, Alvarez, Foden; Haaland
Unai Emery has done an impressive job of keeping his side competitive in the league while they also juggle European and domestic cup duties.
Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara have a huge task in central midfield as they must protect the backline as well as provide opportunities for their team to drive forward and hurt City.
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Carlos, Lenglet, Moreno; Kamara, Luiz; Bailey, McGinn, Diaby; Watkins
Prediction
City boasts a fearsome unbeaten record at home but Villa are capable of disrupting their game plan on the day. It is then up to the visitors to maintain tactical discipline and find the perfect opportunities to hurt the Premier League champions.
City would nevertheless be up for the challenge and they can count on Erling Haaland’s insane finishing ability to give them the upper hand.
Man City 2-1 Aston Villa
