Rejuvenated Villa Host Charging City | OneFootball

Aston Villa host Manchester City in a Premier League clash that promises to provide entertainment. After both sides endured slow starts to the season, they have found their stride in recent weeks and each team comes into this match on top form.

In 17 matches against Pep Guardiola, Unai Emery has come out on top just twice, with the Catalan prevailing 11 times. Despite this, Villa will take serious confidence from recent meetings between the two sides.

Villa Park challenge

“It is one of the toughest away games that we will have all season,” admitted Guardiola, who is under no illusions on the challenge his team will face. City have not won in their last three visits to Villa Park, with the hosts triumphing on the two most-recent occasions. 

At the Etihad last season, the Blues squeezed past Villa with a 94th minute winner. That goal turned out to be crucial in securing their Champions League qualification. Sunday’s clash promises to be a tight affair and the home crowd will certainly be up for it. 

Rejuvenated Villa

After failing to score in their first four matches of the season, Villa have kickstarted their campaign in the past month. Emery’s side had won five in a row before they lost in Europe on Thursday night. Villa dominated the match in the Netherlands but failed to convert a late penalty to avoid defeat against Go Ahead Eagles. (Editor’s note: this is a very polite spin on that game. For a different take, read here.)

Last time out in the Premier League, Villa won away at Tottenham 2-1, with Morgan Rogers getting off the mark for the season. The City academy graduate scored the decisive goal against his former club in this fixture last season, and Emery will be hoping for a repeat. 

City coming together; Haaland chasing Vardy

Like their opposition, things have also been coming together for City after a rocky start to the season. Guardiola’s side are now unbeaten in nine matches – winning seven of those. The Blues have leapfrogged Liverpool in the table and will look to continue their momentum as they trail leaders Arsenal by three points.

One man that has been critical to City’s upturn in form is Erling Haaland. Even for him, the Norwegian has been scoring goals at an astounding rate, and he could soon close in on yet another record.

Haaland has now scored in each of his last 12 appearances in all competitions for club and country and is showing no signs of slowing down. He is now past halfway to matching Jamie Vardy’s record for scoring in consecutive Premier League matches. The Englishman scored in 11 games in a row during Leicester’s incredible 2015/16 season. Haaland has scored on his last six league outings and Villa will be his next target.

Injuries causing concern

Guardiola will be forced to visit Villa Park without star midfielder Rodri for the third season in a row. Even more concerning are the doubts on the availability of his backup, Nico Gonzalez, who was forced off in midweek. “We will see the doctor, I will know more today or tomorrow,” Guardiola unconvincingly answered on Gonzalez’s fitness on Friday afternoon. 

Meanwhile, the hosts will also be forced to line up without a key man in midfield. Youri Tielemans has already been out for more than a month and after suffering a setback with his calf injury, his time on the sidelines will continue.