Manchester City open up this weekend’s run of Premier League fixtures as they travel to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa in a bid to get back to winning ways.
In what has been a truly wretched run of form for the Sky Blues over the last two months, Pep Guardiola’s side have another difficult task ahead on Saturday afternoon facing Unai Emery’s side in hopes of only a second win in the last 12 games.
Guardiola inflicted some more bitterly bad news ahead of this one, as the Catalan tactician confirmed on Friday afternoon that defender Ruben Dias will be unavailable due to a muscular injury with the Portuguese man set to be sidelined for “three or four weeks.”
It was not all doom and gloom in Pep Guardiola’s pre-match press conference, with the Spaniard giving some Christmas cheer as he confirmed John Stones and Manuel Akanji have trained throughout the week, but admitted he does not know if they will be fit to start.
Unai Emery’s side currently sit in sixth place ahead of kick-off, but a victory for Aston Villa would take them above the Sky Blues, who sit in fifth place – just two points ahead of Bournemouth and Aston Villa.
Saturday’s early kick-off will be a test to see the mental strength of the reigning league champions, as if they have not had enough of those, after they suffered a couple of late goals to seal a shocking defeat last time out against Manchester United.
The last eight weeks at the club have been somewhat of a circus, with injuries, suspensions and late shock defeats happening all over the show in an uncharacteristic fashion for Pep Guardiola’s side.
However, Manchester City have chance to deliver a timely Christmas present to fans across the world on Saturday afternoon and with that being said, here is everything you need to know ahead of this one!
Match Details
Manchester City take on Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday 21st December, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 GMT.
Team News
As mentioned, Ruben Dias has been ruled out of this one with a muscular injury, while John Stones and Manuel Akanji are back in contention following recent problems of their own. Pep Guardiola also stated that Ederson is a doubt, suffering from slight niggles.
Rodri, Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake are all out once more with no changes on that front, whilst Rico Lewis will return from suspension after missing the defeat to Manchester United last weekend.
As for the hosts, Jacob Ramsey will be out with a hamstring injury, while Leon Bailey and Tyrone Mings are doubts. Aston Villa have a fully-fit squad otherwise, giving Unai Emery and his players plenty of hope for success.
Head to Head
Manchester City suffered a humiliating 1-0 defeat on this ground last year, with Unai Emery’s side totally outclassing a lethargic looking Pep Guardiola-led side, with a one goal marginal defeat a fortunate result for the visitors.
However, that is the last time Aston Villa defeated Manchester City since 2013, with Fabian Delph and co orchestrating a 3-2 Brummie win at Villa Park.
City captured one of their most historic wins in the club’s history against Aston Villa, with a 3-2 win back in 2022 – you might remember it. City have also failed to keep a clean sheet in each of the last seven games against Aston Villa, and have not kept one away from home since 2016.
Statistics
Aston Villa won this exact fixture 1-0 last season but have not won consecutive home league meetings with Manchester City since April 1993.
Only against Newcastle have Manchester City won more Premier League games (31) and scored more Premier League goals (102) than they have against Aston Villa (30 wins, 98 goals).
Although overall Aston Villa have lost four of their last seven Premier League games (W2 D1), they are unbeaten in each of their last seven at Villa Park (W4 D3). They are looking to win three in a row at home for the first time since a run of 15 between March and December 2023.
Manchester City have lost five of their last seven Premier League games (W1 D1), as many as they had in their previous 67 combined (W51 D11). They last lost more in a single league campaign in 2020-21 (6).
Manchester City have lost eight of their last 11 games in all competitions (W1 D2), as many as they had in their previous 106 combined (W78 D20). They last lost more in a single campaign in 2019-20 (12).
How to Watch
For viewers in the United Kingdom, Saturday afternoon’s match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 GMT.
For viewers in the United States, Saturday’s match will be broadcast live on Peacock, with kick-off scheduled for 07:30 EST.
Radio commentary will be provided on BBC Radio Manchester and other radio stations.
You can find full global TV listings for the matchday six encounter in the UEFA Champions League HERE!
City Xtra will have full live coverage available on our X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram channels throughout matchday, with content also provided on cityxtra.co.uk and YouTube!