Manchester Metropolis open up this weekend’s run of Premier League fixtures as they journey to Villa Park to tackle Aston Villa in a bid to get again to successful methods.
In what has been a really wretched run of type for the Sky Blues over the past two months, Pep Guardiola’s aspect have one other tough process forward on Saturday afternoon going through Unai Emery’s aspect in hopes of solely a second win within the final 12 video games.
Guardiola inflicted some extra bitterly unhealthy information forward of this one, because the Catalan tactician confirmed on Friday afternoon that defender Ruben Dias might be unavailable attributable to a muscular harm with the Portuguese man set to be sidelined for “three or 4 weeks.”
It was not all doom and gloom in Pep Guardiola’s pre-match press convention, with the Spaniard giving some Christmas cheer as he confirmed John Stones and Manuel Akanji have skilled all through the week, however admitted he doesn’t know if they are going to be match to start out.
Unai Emery’s aspect at present sit in sixth place forward of kick-off, however a victory for Aston Villa would take them above the Sky Blues, who sit in fifth place – simply two factors forward of Bournemouth and Aston Villa.
Saturday’s early kick-off might be a take a look at to see the psychological power of the reigning league champions, as in the event that they haven’t had sufficient of these, after they suffered a few late objectives to seal a surprising defeat final trip in opposition to Manchester United.
The final eight weeks on the membership have been considerably of a circus, with accidents, suspensions and late shock defeats taking place everywhere in the present in an uncharacteristic style for Pep Guardiola’s aspect.
Nevertheless, Manchester Metropolis have likelihood to ship a well timed Christmas current to followers internationally on Saturday afternoon and with that being stated, right here is every thing it’s good to know forward of this one!
Match Particulars
Manchester Metropolis tackle Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday twenty first December, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 GMT.
Group Information
As talked about, Ruben Dias has been dominated out of this one with a muscular harm, whereas John Stones and Manuel Akanji are again in competition following current issues of their very own. Pep Guardiola additionally said that Ederson is a doubt, affected by slight niggles.
Rodri, Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake are all out as soon as extra with no adjustments on that entrance, while Rico Lewis will return from suspension after lacking the defeat to Manchester United final weekend.
As for the hosts, Jacob Ramsey might be out with a hamstring harm, whereas Leon Bailey and Tyrone Mings are doubts. Aston Villa have a fully-fit squad in any other case, giving Unai Emery and his gamers loads of hope for fulfillment.
Head to Head
Manchester Metropolis suffered a humiliating 1-0 defeat on this floor final 12 months, with Unai Emery’s aspect completely outclassing a torpid wanting Pep Guardiola-led aspect, with a one objective marginal defeat a lucky outcome for the guests.
Nevertheless, that’s the final time Aston Villa defeated Manchester Metropolis since 2013, with Fabian Delph and co orchestrating a 3-2 Brummie win at Villa Park.
Metropolis captured considered one of their most historic wins within the membership’s historical past in opposition to Aston Villa, with a 3-2 win again in 2022 – you may keep in mind it. Metropolis have additionally didn’t preserve a clear sheet in every of the final seven video games in opposition to Aston Villa, and haven’t stored one away from house since 2016.
Statistics
Aston Villa received this precise fixture 1-0 final season however haven’t received consecutive house league conferences with Manchester Metropolis since April 1993.
Solely in opposition to Newcastle have Manchester Metropolis received extra Premier League video games (31) and scored extra Premier League objectives (102) than they’ve in opposition to Aston Villa (30 wins, 98 objectives).
Though total Aston Villa have misplaced 4 of their final seven Premier League video games (W2 D1), they’re unbeaten in every of their final seven at Villa Park (W4 D3). They need to win three in a row at house for the primary time since a run of 15 between March and December 2023.
Manchester Metropolis have misplaced 5 of their final seven Premier League video games (W1 D1), as many as that they had of their earlier 67 mixed (W51 D11). They final misplaced extra in a single league marketing campaign in 2020-21 (6).
Manchester Metropolis have misplaced eight of their final 11 video games in all competitions (W1 D2), as many as that they had of their earlier 106 mixed (W78 D20). They final misplaced extra in a single marketing campaign in 2019-20 (12).
Easy methods to Watch
For viewers in the UK, Saturday afternoon’s match might be broadcast dwell on TNT Sports activities 1, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 GMT.
For viewers in the USA, Saturday’s match might be broadcast dwell on Peacock, with kick-off scheduled for 07:30 EST.
Radio commentary might be supplied on BBC Radio Manchester and different radio stations.
You’ll find for the matchday six encounter within the UEFA Champions League!
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