Aston Villa are seeking back-to-back home wins over Man City for the first time since 1993, while the Sky Blues are winless in four Premier League away games, most-recently failing to win five on the spin in April 2011, a sequence that featured a 1-0 defeat at Villa Park.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City Preview
Will Manchester City's miserable form continue? Last Sunday, in one of the more insipid Manchester derbies of modern times, the Citizens seemed set to defeat their local rivals at the Etihad, with Joško Gvardiol's header breaking the deadlock. Still leading with two minutes to go, Pep Guardiola's team then completely collapsed, with Matheus Nunes gifting Man United a spot-kick, from which they equalised, before the visitors won it at the death, striking 115 seconds later, truly astonishing scenes.
As a result, amazingly, the Sky Blues have now lost eight of their last 11 outings in all competitions, winning only one, yielding a miserly four points from the last 21 available in the Premier League. Having failed to win any of their last seven away games, losing six of them, will Man City's misery continue come Saturday lunchtime?
Aston Villa meanwhile, for so long, were the last team to defeat Man City in the Premier League, running out 1-0 winners 12 months ago, and will fancy their chances of a repeat result. A week ago, despite taking the lead through Jhon Durán's towering header, the Claret and Blue Army were beaten 2-1 by Nottingham Forest, conceding twice in the final three minutes at the City Ground, despite Emi Martínez's best-efforts, pulling off a simply miraculous save on the banks of the River Trent.
Prior to this, Unai Emery's team had enjoyed three successive victories, beating both Brentford and Southampton at home, before a thrilling 3-2 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League, in which Ross Barkley's late, deflected shot snatched victory in Saxony. Emery's side are five points better off than Man City in the Champions League while, domestically, victory here would see the Villans spend Christmas Day above the four-in-a-row champions too. So, will those inside Villa Park have a victory to celebrate come Saturday lunchtime?
Aston Villa vs Manchester City Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 181.
- Aston Villa Wins: 58. Draws: 42. Manchester City Wins: 81.
Aston Villa Team News
Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey are injured although, in better news, Amadou Onana came off the bench for the final 15 minutes last weekend, the Belgian's first appearance since 9 November due to a hamstring injury. Unai Emery has a big decision to make up front; Jhon Durán's header in Nottingham means he's now scored all five times he has started this season, netting 11 times overall, so will the Colombian once again get the nod over Ollie Watkins? Morgan Rogers will be suspended for the Boxing Day visit to St James' Park if cautioned.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Manchester City: (4-2-2-2): Martínez; Konsa, Diego Carlos, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans, Cash, McGinn; Rogers, Durán.
Aston Villa Player to Watch vs Manchester City
John McGinn has scored twice this season, both in the Champions League, while the Scotland international was on target when Man City visited Villa Park in April 2021, so can he help down the champions here?
Manchester City Team News
Rico Lewis can return, having served his one-match ban last weekend, which is a major boost, considering fellow-defenders Nathan Aké, Rúben Dias and Manuel Akanji are injured. John Stones meantime was ready to come on for his first appearance since 23 November as Man United were awarded a penalty, sparking the turnaround, so is clearly fit, bolstering back-line options. Unlike Stones, Mateo Kovačić did get off the bench last Sunday, the first time he'd been seen since early-November, likely to start this time. Pep Guardiola has been chopping and changing goalkeepers in recent weeks, so will Ederson keep his place or will Stefan Ortega be back donning the gloves? Bernardo Silva is one booking away from missing the Boxing Day meeting with Everton.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Aston Villa: (4-1-4-1): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Gvardiol, Lewis; Gündoğan, Kovačić, Silva, De Bruyne, Doku; Håland.
Manchester City Player to Watch vs Aston Villa
Erling Braut Håland has now scored just two goals in his last 11 Premier League appearances, while he's netted only once in three meetings with Aston Villa, so can the Norwegian end his relative draught?
Aston Villa vs Manchester City Prediction
This is not as bold a prediction as it would've been two months ago, but we're backing Aston Villa for victory. Unai Emery's team will be refreshed following a rare, much-needed free week, seeking a third successive home win, while Man City still haven't sparked into life and their recent away form is abject, hence why we're forecasting a home win: Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Aston Villa vs Manchester City Premier League game on TV channel?
Aston Villa vs Manchester City Premier League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 1 & Ultimate
- USA: fuboTV, NBC, Telemundo & Deportes En Vivo
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
How to watch Aston Villa vs Manchester City Premier League game on live streaming?
Aston Villa vs Manchester City Premier League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: fuboTV, nbcsports.com, USA Network, Telemundo & SiriusXM FC
- Canada: FuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Aston Villa vs Manchester City in the Premier League?
Aston Villa vs Man City takes place on Saturday 21 December 2024, with kick off at 12:30 (GMT), 7:30 (EDT) & 4:30 (PST).