Aston Villa Takes On Man City: Bold Predictions, Key Lineups, and What to Expect

Manchester City are looking to become only the third club in Premier League history to win their first eight matches of the season when they travel to face Aston Villa away on Saturday.

The Cityzens claimed their seventh consecutive league win at the start of Enzo Maresca's tenure against newly promoted Ipswich Town last weekend, though they were pushed hard by Gary O'Neil's outfit.

Things proved far more straightforward midweek, as Maresca rotated his squad and guided his side to a comfortable win over AEK Athens on Matchday 3 of the Champions League, bouncing back from their 4–2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool at the outset of their title-winning campaign in 2019–20 and Chelsea, who kicked off their title defense in 2005–06 with nine consecutive victories, are the two clubs Man City are desperate to join this weekend.

However, they'll need to shake off a growing hoodoo at Villa Park to do so. The Cityzens are without a win in their last four visits to the ground and have suffered three straight defeats there. Add to that Villa's strong form over the past month, and this shapes up to be a genuinely difficult challenge for the away side.

The hosts currently sit 12th in the standings and have won five of their last six matches across all competitions.

Aston Villa vs. Man City Score Prediction

Cityzens Get to Eight

Ashley Young came on as a first-half substitute for Villa the last time Man City left Villa Park with all three points. Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva were both on the scoresheet in a 2–1 win for the Cityzens back in December 2021.

Villa Park has not been a fruitful destination for the reigning Premier League champions since Unai Emery took charge, though the Villa manager is no longer facing a City side under Pep Guardiola — it's Maresca's team now. Worryingly for the visitors, Emery has won two of his three encounters with their new boss.

It's the kind of fixture that, should City come out on top, would give them genuine belief that they can dethrone Arsenal.

Prediction: Aston Villa 1–2 Man City

Aston Villa Predicted Lineup vs. Man City

The hosts are expected to be without Johan Manzambi for City's visit due to a muscle problem. The match-winner from last week's game at Newcastle United missed the victory over Viking and has been a doubt for Saturday ever since.

Emiliano Buendía is therefore likely to start as Villa's No. 10, linking up with impressive summer signing Nicolas Jackson. With Manzambi out, either Alysson or Ibrahim Mbaye could be handed a start on the right flank.

Emery faces concerns at left back, with Matteo Ruggeri sidelined and Ian Maatsen recovering from an ankle problem. Maatsen could still feature, while Matty Cash is expected to return on the opposite side.

Amadou Onana remains a long-term absentee.

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs. Man City (4-2-3-1): Suzuki; Cash, Lindelöf, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Gomes; Alysson, Buendia, McGinn; Jackson.

Man City Predicted Lineup vs. Aston Villa

Maresca has confirmed that Haaland is fully fit for the weekend after being rested in midweek. The Norwegian striker picked up a foot injury against Ipswich Town last Saturday, though it was never expected to keep him out for any significant period.

On the other hand, Man City are set to be without Antoine Semenyo potentially until Christmas due to a knee injury. Maresca can call upon the likes of Iliman Ndiaye and Jérémy Doku as cover, and the in-form Phil Foden could also be deployed out wide.

Nico O'Reilly's ongoing back problem means Joško Gvardiol is likely to start at left back, while Mateo Kovačić and Matheus Nunes may need to pass late fitness assessments.

Should Nunes fail to recover in time, Rico Lewis could keep his place after a strong showing against AEK Athens. Abdukodir Khusanov is also available as an option.

Man City predicted lineup vs. Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guéhi, Gvardiol; Anderson, Bouaddi; Foden, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.

What Time Does Aston Villa vs. Man City Kick Off?

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