On Wednesday, Manchester City will host Aston Villa in a duel between two of the Premier League’s top 4. The defending champions picked up a degree against Arsenal at the weekend as Unai Emery’s UEFA European Conference League quarter-finalists defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers.
City haven’t recorded a goalless defeat since the 2021/22 season, with their last goalless match at the Etihad Stadium returning at the end of 2021. Pep Guardiola’s men are one point behind the Gunners who face Luton Town, but Liverpool are three clear of the EPL title holders, who last lost against Villa before a 23-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Moussa Diaby scored in the win over Wolves, while Ezri Konsa also scored, while Leon Bailey could also rejoin the France international in attack if Ollie Watkins continues to struggle with injury. However, Emery’s Villa stays the leader in the fight for a spot in the UEFA Champions League, although Tottenham Hotspur has one game in hand and is three points behind.
Fifth place should still be enough for a spot in the UCL, but an unbeaten away run in 2024 will help them stay in the fight for the top 4. The last time the Birmingham giants lost away to Manchester was against United, and 13 straight defeats at the City Stadium suggest this one can be a tricky one.
Here are our stories, watch the game and more:
How to observe and odds
- Date: Wednesday, April 3 | Time: 15:15 EST
- Location: Etihad Stadium – Manchester, England
- To watch: Paw Premium
- Chances: City -350; Draw +500; Villa +800
Team news
City: Nathan Ake was sent off against Arsenal, with Ederson and Kyle Walker missing. John Stones was a substitute, but he is not 100% ready yet, so he probably won’t start. Rico Lewis should replace Ake, while Jeremy Doku and former Villa player Jack Grealish could also feature.
Potential city XI: Ortega; Lewis, Slide, Heart, Guardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Doku, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland.
Villa: Watkins was replaced by Jhon Duran in the match against Wolves resulting from a hamstring injury, so Emery is waiting for the Englishman’s test results. But he already knows that Tyrone Mings, Boubacar Kamara, Emiliano Buendia and Matty Cash are injured and John McGinn is suspended. Jacob Ramsey has a likelihood of starting, but Duran is expected to partner Diaby and possibly Bailey against City.
Potential Villa XI: Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Bailey, Luiz, Tielemans, Rogers; Diaby, Duran.
Forecast
This one could also be closer than expected, but should eventually be included in the form book. Some extent or more can be impressive for Villa, but City must have an excessive amount of of it given the expected absences on each side. To select: City 2, Villa 1.
Credit : www.cbssports.com