A massive test awaits Pep Guardiola’s side against Aston Villa | OneFootball

Manchester City picked up a crucial 2-nil victory over Everton on Saturday. That win saw Pep Guardiola’s side rise to fourth on the Premier League table. They could drop to fifth depending on the result of the Nottingham Forest and Tottenham match that takes place tonight. But City’s victory does keep their Champions League qualification destiny in their own hands. On Tuesday evening they take on Aston Villa in a massive fixture in City’s season. Unai Emery’s side will pose a tough challenge for Pep Guardiola’s side to overcome in what looms as a pivotal match for both teams at the Etihad.

Aston Villa will enter Tuesday’s match at the Etihad full of confidence. They will enter the match off the back of an emphatic 4-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday. Ollie Watkins was a threat all game for Aston Villa. Youri Tielemans, John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara dictated the midfield battle against Newcastle’s formidable midfield. Marco Asensio and Morgan Rogers were a constant threat to the Newcastle defence with their pace and technical ability. Those players alongside Marcus Rashford, Amadou Onana and others do loom over Tuesday night’s match at the Etihad. Villa also sit seventh on the league table a point behind City with their own ambitions of security Champions League qualification for next season.

Aston Villa are a quality side. Unai Emery’s team are a dangerous outfit especially when they have their tails up. Based on their performance against Newcastle they are full of confidence at the moment. How Manchester City contain that threat will go a long way in deciding the crucial Premier League fixture.

Summary.

If Manchester City can control the tempo of the match at the Etihad it may set them up for a vital victory. You do feel that is City’s best path to victory. They won’t be able to match the athleticism of Unai Emery’s side. That’s a battle they simply won’t win. So Pep Guardiola’s side will have to play to their strengths to pick up a crucial three points. They have shown that they are getting the control and stability back in their play that was missing for large chunks of this season. So City’s path to victory is there if they can execute it against Aston Villa.

If Manchester City can pick up three points against Aston Villa it will further entrench them in a top-5 position on the Premier League table. Thats the opportunity that is on offer for Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad. It’s one they’ll have to work hard to take but they are capable of doing just that.