Our picks

Aston Villa vs Manchester City: 12/01/2020 – match preview and predicted starting XIs

Aston Villa vs Manchester City

Date: 12/01/2020

K/O: 16:30

Venue: Villa Park

Referee: Jon Moss

TV: Sky Sports Main Event 

Dean Smith’s Aston Villa take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the final match of the Premier League’s match week 22, coming off the back of an impressive 1-1 away draw to Leicester City in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Akin to what Guardiola did when his side beat Manchester United 3-1 in the same stage of the cup, Dean Smith has hinted that he might opt to field a ‘False 9’ instead of an out and out striker for the defending Champions’ visit.

Relishing what he believes will be a ‘battle of chess’ against legendary tactician Guardiola, Smith believes his side are more than capable of inflicting defeat to Pep’s City, especially with the home advantage they possess. One key piece in his battle may prove to be new loan signing Danny Drinkwater, who could be handed his debut in Sunday’s fixture.

For Manchester City, Aston Villa stand as the first wall of resistance to what is surely going to be a testing run of fixtures; Villa away is followed by the visit of Crystal Palace, and then an away trip to Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United. A very congested run of fixtures beckons following that, with the FA Cup fourth round and the Carabao Cup semi final’s second leg sandwiching a visit to Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur side.

When these two sides last met, Villa put in a spectacular defensive effort, with their discipline in defence and speed in transition particularly impressing me. Now, with the false 9 approach a very realistic option, I expect City to be forced to move the ball with even greater speed and precision if they are to come away from Villa Park with all three points.

Match Facts & Stats

Aston Villa have lost nine of their last 11 league fixtures against Man City, winning only once (a 3-2 in September 2013).

Manchester City have kept clean sheets in eight of their last 10 against the Villans, but have struggled for defensive solidity this season.

Villa have picked up six points from their last nine available in the league, more than what they collected (four) in their last 27 available.

Aston Villa have lost each of their last 11 fixtures against the league’s defending Champions, only winning thrice in their last 49 attempts.

Under Pep Guardiola, Man City have lost three of their four January away games, winning only against Huddersfield Town (0-3, back in 2019).

Team News:

Aston Villa

Villa are struggling in the final third ahead of Sunday’s contest with Jonathan Kodjia an injury doubt with an illness which ruled him out of the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Leicester City. Wesley is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

Injuries to Tom Heaton and Jed Steer are likely to see Orjan Nyland keep his spot in the XI despite experienced goalkeeper Pepe Reina joining the club.

John McGinn and Keinan Davis are also out, but Matt Targett could be available following his return from injury, with a debut for loanee Danny Drinkwater also on the cards.

Manchester City

Leroy Sane remains sidelined with a knee injury, but he is believed to be making positive progress as he eyes a February return. Guardiola otherwise has a fully-fit squad to choose from, meaning that Ederson is likely to return between the sticks in place of Claudio Bravo. However, a start for long-term absentee Aymeric Laporte is unlikely, although the French international has returned to full training. He should be eased into the squad, with maybe 15 minutes’ action likely on the cards.

Sergio Aguero was left on the bench against Manchester United on Tuesday but should return now, as could Gabriel Jesus.

Predicted Starting XIs

Aston Villa (5-4-1): Nyland; Guilbert, Konsa, Mings, Hause, Targett; Trezeguet, Nakamba, Luiz, Grealish, El Ghazi

Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson, Cancelo, Garcia, Fernandinho, Mendy; Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne; Bernardo Silva, Aguero, Sterling

Score Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester City

Dean Smith seemed quite confident and enthusiastic in his pre-match press conference, meaning he will surely have some tricks up his sleeve for the visit of the champions. But as he mentioned, Pep Guardiola is indeed a wonderful chess player, and I do believe Guardiola will have his side set up to impose themselves on Villa, while also taking caution against the threat they possess. A very good tactical battle should ensue, with City just edging this one for me.

Ayush Verma

20. Student at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. Manchester City correspondent for 90MAAT

90MAAT News Now

Premier League Table

90MAAT Social Media

ScoopDragon Football News Network

Search The Site