Aston Villa vs Man City Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Aston Villa are the latest team tasked with trying to thwart the irrepressible Erling Haaland, as Man City travel to Villa Park.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Fubo
Aston Villa preview: Climbing the table
After a difficult start to the season that saw them struggle to find the net, Aston Villa's results have improved considerably and their come-from-behind 1-2 victory at Tottenham last Sunday marked their fifth successive win in all competitions.
That streak was ended on Thursday though, as Unai Emery's men were surprisingly beaten 2-1 by Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles in the UEFA Europa League.
Man City preview: Relentless Haaland
Man City will seek to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to ten games and keep the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the table.
2-0 wins over Everton in the Premier League and away to Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League predictably saw Erling Haaland find the net in both fixtures, with the ruthlessly efficient frontman now boasting a scarecely believable record of 24 goals in his 14 games for club and country in 2025-26.
Aston Villa team news: Trio could be missing
Andres Garcia, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne have missed recent action and could also miss out here.
Emery could stick with Donyell Malen up front given Ollie Watkins' struggles in front of goal, while Evann Guessand has caught the eye recently and could start a third game in a row for the Villains.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Mings, Konsa, Maatsen; Onana, Kamara; Guessand, Rogers, McGinn; Malen
Unavailable:
Questionable: Garcia (Injured), Digne (Injured), Tielemans (Injured)
Man City team news: Rodri still out
Abdukodir Khusanov and Rodri will play no part in this fixture, while Nico Gonzalez is doubtful after picking up a knock in the midweek trip to Spain.
The likes of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush could all feature with the trio having recently returned from injury.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Kovacic; Savinho, Foden, Reijnders, Marmoush; Haaland
Unavailable: Khusanov (Injured), Rodri (Injured)
Questionable: Gonzalez (Injured)
Aston Villa vs Man City prediction
Despite a midweek setback in Europe, Aston Villa's form has markedly improved but they are still not firing on all cylinders in the attacking areas. Indeed, frontman Watkins has mustered just one goal from his 12 club appearances in all competitions this season.
That is in stark contrast to Man City's first-choice striker, with Haaland scoring goals at an incredible rate right now. It seems almost inevitable that he will find the net every time he walks onto the pitch, having done so in his last 12 games for club and country.
With this in mind, an away win with the Norwegian on the scoresheet seems like a sensible percentage play.
Aston Villa vs Man City tip: Man City to win & Erling Haaland to score anytime
