Title chasing Manchester City host Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium in a Super Sunday clash.
Victory would see Man City move to within three points of league leaders, Arsenal, ahead of their crunch showdown in midweek.
Villa meanwhile can go tenth with a win until Monday evening at minimum.
Team News
Phil Foden could be available for Man City after recovering from illness.
John Stones remains absent with a hamstring injury.
Villa have no fresh injury concerns to report following last weekend’s defeat at home to Leicester, as Jed Steer, Diego Carlos (both Achilles) and Bertrand Traore (knee) remains absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Villa at Etihad Stadium in a 4:30pm GMT kick-off on Sunday 12 February, live on Sky Sports in UK.
Stat Attack
- Man City have dropped two points in their last five meetings against Villa (W4, D1).
- Villa are winless in their last 12 league visits to Man City (L12), since prevailing 2-0 in April 2007.
- City’s Ilkay Gundogan has scored in each of his last three appearances at home to Villa.
- Five of City’s last eight league goals at home have been scored by Erling Haaland.
- Villa have conceded just one goal in three league matches away from home under Unai Emery (W3).
Prediction
Following Arsenal’s latest slip-up for the second consecutive matchweek, Man City simply need to now take full advantage if want to move in on the Gunners because their sloppy defending and sluggish end product proved their downfall at Tottenham last weekend.
Villa though is slightly easier opposition but have fared well since Unai Emery and certainly will turn up believing that they can spring a shock, especially as they look to produce a reaction to last weekend’s costly defensive implosion against Leicester after twice taking the lead.
We also shouldn’t forget that City almost lost the title on home turf to Villa on the final day last season, which will surely be in the back of their minds despite their excellent home form against the Villains so I do expect this game to be quite competitive.
City though should somehow come through with the win but I don’t see them prevailing with a clean sheet because Villa will push them all the way hopefully.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Aston Villa
Result: Manchester City 3-1 Aston Villa
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