The final game of the weekend fixtures in the English Premier League is between Aston Villa and Manchester City. The game will be played at Villa Park on Sunday the 12th of January. Aston Villa begin the weekend in 17th place in the Premier League, just one point and one place above the relegation zone.
Manchester City are currently 3rd In the league table, 1 point behind Leicester City and 8 points clear of 3rd place Chelsea.
Aston Villa are coming to the match having secured a good 1-1 draw away against Leicester City in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final on Wednesday night. This saw the return of a full strength team for Aston Villa following rotation in the defeat at Fulham in the FA Cup last weekend. Aston Villa may have suffered 5 defeats in their 7 most recent matches in Premier League but a recent change in formation seems to be proving useful.
Aston Villa performed well in the draw at Leicester City and in the Premier League victory at Burnley. The victory at Burnley on New Year's Day was their first away win since the beginning of October but trends show Aston Villa have remained undefeated in 6 of their last 9 home Premier League games.
Over 2.5 goals have been seen in 17 of Aston Villa's last 21 matches in all competitions and both teams have scored in 5 of their last 7 home Premier League matches.
Let’s finish it at the Etihad!🔵 #ManCity #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/BeHJdp3b9u— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 8, 2020
Let’s finish it at the Etihad!🔵 #ManCity #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/BeHJdp3b9u
Manchester City made the short trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United in the 1st leg of their League Cup semi-final on Tuesday night and came away with a 3-1 win. Their first half performance was excellent and Pep Guardiola will be hoping for more of the same in this match. That result means Manchester City have won each of their last 4 games in all competitions including wins over Sheffield United and Everton at home in the Premier League and Port Vale in the FA Cup.
Away form in the Premier League shows just two wins from 5 games with the victories coming at Burnley and Arsenal. However, following the victory over The Gunners, Manchester City lost 3-2 at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Both teams have scored in 4 of their last 5 away Premier League matches and Manchester City have seen over 2.5 goals in each of those 5 games.
Team news and Aston Villa are without striker Wesley and goalkeeper Tom Heaton for the remainder of the season. John McGinn is not expected back from a broken ankle until late March and Matt Targett is a doubt with a hamstring injury.
Manchester City are still without injured defender Aymeric Laporte but he could return next week. Leroy Sane is the only other confirmed absentee for the visitors who should be close to full strength.
This has the makings of being a very entertaining game with both teams finding the back of the net. However, there is no doubt Manchester City have the superior attacking talent and could score a few goals on their way to victory.