Comments and predictions for Aston Villa vs Man City: No 3 points

Looking for a way out of their mid-season slump, Premier League champions Manchester City will attempt to revive their title defence hopes this Saturday when they face Aston Villa.

After last week's shock derby defeat, Man City have lost five of their last seven league games, while Aston Villa's recent resurgence was also interrupted by a last-minute stumble in their last outing.

Latest Aston Villa vs Man City team information

Jhon Duran, who impressed in place of Ollie Watkins – who suffered a minor injury – will be hoping to continue his central role for Aston Villa on Saturday.

Watkins is the hosts' top scorer in the Premier League with seven goals, but Duran took his tally to six after netting against Nottingham Forest. However, manager Unai Emery remains cautious and is reluctant to use both strikers at the same time.

Leon Bailey could return from a hamstring injury, and Tyrone Mings is available after being forced to withdraw at the last minute against Nottingham Forest due to illness. However, Jacob Ramsey is still sidelined with injury.

On the other side of the front line, Manchester City's injury list has been somewhat reduced in the past two weeks, with the return of Mateo Kovacic and John Stones to the bench for last week's disappointing derby.

Rodri and Oscar Bobb remain long-term absentees, while Nathan Ake has recently joined the list. However, Manuel Akanji could be fit after a hip injury, and versatile defender Rico Lewis is also available after suspension.

Jack Grealish will return to his boyhood home in the hope of getting some playing time, but winger Jeremy Doku is now a priority in Pep Guardiola's plans.

Aston Villa vs Man City latest predicted team

Aston Villa:

Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Cash, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins

Manchester City:

Ederson; Walker, Dias, Gvardiol, Lewis; Kovacic; Silva, De Bruyne, Foden, Doku; Haaland

Latest football commentary on Aston Villa vs Man City

Starting the day level on points with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League standings, Aston Villa were very close to overtaking their Central rivals and moving into the top four with just minutes remaining at the City Ground.

However, two quickfire strikes from Forest made Jhon Duran's opener and a brilliant save from Emi Martinez meaningless, as Villa let victory slip within their grasp.

Unai Emery's side had previously enjoyed a run of three consecutive wins - against Brentford, Southampton and RB Leipzig in the Champions League - but the latest defeat means they have now lost four of their last seven domestic games.

After a breakthrough 2023-24 campaign, having to stretch across two competitions has become a tough test for Villa’s squad depth, with the Birmingham side also under pressure after a run of four consecutive away defeats in the Premier League.

However, they remain unbeaten in their last seven Premier League home games and are currently seventh, and a win over Manchester City this weekend would see them leapfrog their rivals in the table.

Villa last beat City at Aston Villa last year, 1-0, when they were on course for a top-four breakthrough. If they can do the same this season, it will be the first time since 1993 that Villa have beaten City in consecutive seasons.

On the other side, Manchester City also suffered a painful defeat in their last outing. Leading for most of the derby, but mistakes at the end of the match saw City fall with Amad Diallo's 90th-minute goal giving Manchester United a 2-1 win at the Etihad.

This was Pep Guardiola's side's eighth defeat in their last 11 games. Remarkably, they have lost two of their last three Premier League games after leading at half-time - an alarming record after a run of 102 games in which they had lost just twice in similar situations.

The situation is also reflected in Europe, where City are now five points behind Villa in the Champions League standings. The decline in effectiveness is also due to an ageing midfield, an injury-plagued defence and a poor ability to take chances.

Despite leading the Premier League in shots this season, City's chance conversion rate of just 9.9% is their lowest since 2006-07. Phil Foden has had more shots than any other player in the league, while defender Josko Gvardiol is the team's second-highest scorer behind Erling Haaland, who has also been struggling.

Currently ranked fifth and nine points behind leaders Liverpool despite playing one game more, City have little room to slip up if they want to get back on track for the title.

Aston Villa vs Man City score prediction

Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the following results for the Aston Villa vs Man City match:

• Sportsmole: Aston Villa 1-1 Man City

• WhoScore: Aston Villa 0-1 Man City
• Our prediction: Aston Villa 2-2 Man City

When and where to watch Aston Villa vs Man City live?

To watch live the match Aston Villa vs Man City in the Premier League taking place at 7:30 p.m. on December 21, viewers can watch on K+ Sport, K+PM or online sports channels. Wishing viewers happy moments of watching football.

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