Aston Villa and Manchester City get the latest round of Premier League action underway at Villa Park on Saturday lunchtime.
Both teams will be looking to bounce back from their respective defeats in the top-flight last time out.
Unai Emery’s side saw their mini-revival come grinding to halt in a 2-1 defeat away at Nottingham Forest last Saturday.
That City Ground setback means the Villains start the weekend in seventh position, just two places and two points behind Man City.
The Citizens' crisis deepened as they hit the self-destruct button to lose 2-1 at home to fierce rivals Manchester United last Sunday.
Consequently, Pep Guardiola's side are now nine points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, who have played a game fewer than the reigning champions.
How the bookies view it: City set for Villa Park victory
Despite losing five of their last seven Premier League games, Man City are 11/10 favourites with Boylesports to emerge from Villa Park victorious.
Aston Villa have triumphed in each of their last two Premier League home games but another home success here is an unfancied 11/5 on Boylesports, while the draw is also deemed improbable at 5/2 with the same bookmaker.
Head to head: Villa seeking deja vu
Aston Villa claimed a 1-0 win from last year's corresponding fixture and the same scoreline on Saturday can be backed at 12/1 on Boylesports.
However, it’s worth noting that was Man City’s only defeat across their last 17 matches with Aston Villa, with the Sky Blues winning 11 of the last 13.
Players to watch: Haaland to hit the back of the net?
Erling Haland hit the back of the net in Man City’s most recent Premier League away game at Crystal Palace. The Norwegian ace is an eye-catching even-money (1/1) on Boylesports to notch at Villa Park on Saturday.
Five of Ollie Watkins' seven Premier League goals this season have arrived at Villa Park. The England international is 7/4 on Boylesports to make the net bulge this weekend.
Predicted line-ups
Tyrone Mings and Leon Bailey could return to the Aston Villa squad this weekend, however Jacob Ramsey is not expected to be back in the fold this side of Christmas.
Rico Lewis will return from suspension this weekend, however Nathan Ake, Oscar Bobb and Rodri are all ruled out.
Aston Villa: Martinez: Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Kamara; Cash, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins
Man City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Gvardiol; Gundogan, De Bruyne, Silva, Foden, Nunes, Doku; Haaland
Anything else catch the eye?
While Ezri Konsa doesn’t regularly commit fouls, I’m prepared to look beyond that here by backing him to fall foul of the referee at least once at 13/8 on Bet 365.
The Aston Villa defender could find himself at right-back on Saturday and that could see him come up against Man City foul magnet Jeremy Doku.
The Belgian livewire has drawn a minimum of one foul from the opposition in six of his last seven Premier League appearances.
This English Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester City will be played on Dec 21, 2024 and kick off at 12:30. Check below for our tipsters best Aston Villa vs Manchester City prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
