Prediction: Aston Villa vs Manchester City

Verdict: Manchester City win & Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to extend on what has been a rampant start to the 2022/23 campaign, Manchester City will make the trip to Villa Park on Saturday evening.

Aston Villa

Starting with the hosts, while Aston Villa might have opened the new campaign with a European charge at the top of their agenda, Steven Gerrard’s men are in the midst of an extended struggle. Getting the 2022/23 season underway with a shock 2-0 loss away at Premier League returners Bournemouth on August 6th, the former Rangers boss finds himself under a huge amount of pressure. Last seen earlier in the week when getting hit with a deserved 2-1 loss away at a high-flying Arsenal, Villa have managed to win just one of their opening five top-flight contests. Having to settle for a sluggish 14th-place finish last season, Gerrard has failed to offer Saturday’s hosts any kind of stability since taking charge in the Midlands back in November. In fact, it should be highlighted, Aston Villa have now won just a trio of their last 16 Premier League matchups on either side of the summer break.

Team News

Making four changes for their 2-1 defeat away at Arsenal in midweek, Gerrard could once again be tempted to make more alterations this weekend.

Dropped to the bench earlier in the week, both Danny Ings and Philippe Coutinho will be hoping for a full recall on Saturday evening.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, while Aston Villa might be in the midst of an extended rut, Manchester City should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Last seen earlier in the week laying down another clinical marker as they cruised their way to a routine 6-0 romp against Nottingham Forest, Pep Guardiola’s men should be smelling a golden chance here. Retaining their Premier League crown thanks to a one-point buffer over Liverpool last season, the ex-Barcelona boss has seen his superstars muster 13 points from their opening five outings. Managing to prove that their action-packed 3-3 draw away at Newcastle on August 21st was just a minor blip, the Sky Blues have only continued to shine in the final third. Including a turnaround 4-2 victory at home against Crystal Palace last weekend, Saturday’s guests have wracked up 19 Premier League strikes so far. Claiming that famous 3-2 win when they last faced off against Villa back in May, Guardiola will be hoping for a similar outcome this weekend.

Team News

Bagging a first-half hat-trick against Nottingham Forest in midweek, Erling Haaland will once again spearhead Guardiola’s charge on Saturday evening.

After having to settle for a spot on the bench a few days ago, Belgium international Kevin De Bruyne should make his full return here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off on the final weekend of the 2021/22 campaign, Manchester City picked up a famous 3-2 victory at the Etihad.
• Likewise, the defending Premier League champions have won each of their last nine straight meetings against Saturday’s hosts.
• Manchester City are also unbeaten in each of their previous 13 meetings against Aston Villa, a run that stems back to September 2013.
• Aston Villa have won just a trio of their last 16 Premier League matchups continuing on from last season.
• The Sky Blues have picked up 13 points from their opening five Premier League contests this season.

Conclusion

Breezing past Premier League returners Nottingham Forest earlier in the week thanks to a 6-0 romp at the Etihad, Manchester City will be desperate to build off of that display here. Already tipped as a landslide pick to once again defend their domestic crown this season, Saturday’s guests should be smelling another golden chance here. Mustering 13 points from their opening five top-flight contests, Aston Villa will know that they face a monumental task in the Midlands. Losing four of their first five Premier League outings, the pressure on Gerrard’s shoulders is starting to reach a boiling point. With City winning each of their previous nine straight meetings, it is hard to see anything other than a similar outcome this weekend.

Verdict: Manchester City win & Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet