The match at Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City, marks the start of the 34th round of the Premier League, played during the week.
What We Know
- First match: Aston Villa - Manchester City 2-1
- Manchester City are leading their head-to-head matches, 81-42-59
- Seven of their last eight duels have ended with BTTS.
- City has a 10-3-3 league home record this season.
- Villa has a very mixed record of 7-2-7 away from home this season.
Betting Tip: Manchester City - Aston Villa
This is a very important game for both teams in the Premier League, and both are still in the running for the FA Cup. The cup semi-finals are scheduled for the upcoming weekend, and that’s something that might affect their focus.
Both City and Villa possess quality options in the front and have issues defensively. When we consider all that, we expect, well, to see goals at Etihad. So, our pick is BTTS & Over 2.5 Goals combo.
- Betting tip: BTTS + Over 2,5
- Odds: 1.72 (at the time of writing)
- Stake: 4
Manchester City
The upcoming game against Aston Villa is of particular importance in City’s struggle for a top-5 place and a spot in next season’s Champions League campaign. It would be devastating, particularly financially, if the Cityzens do not manage to qualify.
The team will need reinforcements in the summer to return to the top of the title race next season, as the injury of one key player, Rodri, seems to have taken this season downhill, and with De Bruyne leaving the club in June.
We must not also forget the years-long investigation into Man City’s financial wrongdoings, and if the verdict is finally reached, it would be imperative to secure the additional income of the Champions League beforehand, and a spot in the elite competition.
The team needs to move past any issues it might be facing and get this game in front of their home fans.
Aston Villa are an excellent opponent, capable of striking in the counterattack, though vulnerable defensively themselves. Haaland will be missed, but the Cityzens have the quality to replace him and take advantage of that vulnerability.
The FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest comes next Sunday. Since Pep Guardiola’s side lost last year’s final and the fact that this is the only trophy that City can still win this season, Sunday’s game is a kind of must-win. That might affect their match against Villa.
Aston Villa
Football can be a cruel game because no matter what you do during the season, you are ultimately judged on results. While Villa have performed admirably throughout the year in the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League, they will be judged on their final results.
That performance has allowed them to compete for a spot in the top five of the Premier League and another Champions League appearance. The competition is fierce, and it will not be easy to get there, which is why Villans will need to secure big wins, starting with the game against City.
The schedule ahead is rather challenging, but on the positive side, certain opponents have nothing to play for at this point in the season.
Like their tonight’s opponent, Villa will travel to Wembley next to face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals. If they win, they will have a historic opportunity to compete for a title, an appropriate reward for Unai Emery’s stunning work with the team.
Villa have improved their squad depth at this point, but they still have to be strategic about how they approach these games, and potentially rotate. Malen has provided solutions offensively, and now, others need to step up elsewhere.
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