England Premier League
Wednesday 20th January 2021
Kick off at 6pm GMT
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Match Preview:
By the time Manchester City play Aston Villa on Wednesday evening top position could have changed if Leicester beat Chelsea but all of that bares no significance if City beat Villa, they would go top at least for a couple of hours before Manchester United meet Fulham later on in the evening.
Manchester City are resembling that winning machine that at their peak made the club so fearsome and relentless under Pep Guardiola and they will be the favourites to win this game. City have won their last 5 games and the motivation is clear to keep on winning. It has been such an unpredictable season so far that City’s 5 wins in a row is the first to have happened to a club in the Premier League this season.
City beat Palace 4-0 in their last game and scored some brilliant goals along the way even defender John Stones got in on the act and it was a brilliant result given that Palace had come to the Etihad in the last few seasons and caused upsets. City have the 2nd best home record in the league earning 20 points from a possible 27 and have won their last 3 at home, they have only lost once this season here when they were defeated by Leicester.
Aston Villa have fallen to 11th place but have only played 15 games because the squad has been effected by the Coronavirus. They have 3 games in hand over the majority of teams in front of them and 4 games in hand over Arsenal who are a place above them.
Villa haven’t played since New Year’s Day when they lost 2-1 at Manchester United and we would have to go back to Boxing Day for their last victory. Even in the FA Cup, (their last competitive game) Villa had to field their youngsters as they were knocked out against Liverpool.
So in theory if Villa who come into this game with 26 points were to win all of their games in hand they would be on 35 and could be 2nd in the league. Away from home this season Dean Smith’s side have been impressive winning 5 of their 8 games and with just 5 goals conceded on the road they have the best record in that department.
Team News:
Manchester City: Sergio Aguero is ill and is a major doubt, Nathan Ake looks set to miss this game with an unspecified issue which has kept him out of the last two matches. Adrian Bernabe is ill. Scott Carson has recovered from illness and has been pencilled in to return for this game as has Eric Garcia, Aymeric Laporte has a 50/50 chance to be selected after his hamstring injury.
Aston Villa: Ross Barkley has had an on going issue with his hamstring but will be assessed ahead of this match and has a chance. No update has been provided on Trezeguet’s hamstring injury which has kept him out for the past three weeks. An update on Wesley’s long term knee injury suggests he won’t be back until the spring.
Man City vs Aston Villa Head to Head:
Last season this fixture ended 3-0 to Manchester City.
Manchester City have scored 9 goals past Aston Villa in their last two league meetings.
Aston Villa haven’t beaten Manchester City since 2013.
There is a 60% chance to see over 3.5 goals.
Man City vs Aston Villa Prediction:
Aston Villa are hugely improved since last season and this is the type of fixture last year where they wouldn’t have been given a chance. This season feels different and Villa can threaten the City goal and be involved in this game.
The one worry is the near 3 weeks the players have had off. Sometimes a few extra days can work wonders and give a team an advantage over a club whose fixtures have piled up. But 3 weeks is not an advantage and professional players not getting game time is a big disadvantage for Villa. Then add the fact they are playing away and to such quality and we see only one winner here. The bookmakers feel the same and City’s odds on price of around 1.20 doesn’t give us much value, so it’s best to look into different markets.
Man City vs Aston Villa Betting Tips:
Over 2.5 total goals at 1.50
Manchester City to win to nil at 2.20
Anytime goalscorer: Raheem Sterling at 2.00
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