Man City look to continue winning streak on trip to Villa Park
By Karl Matchett
Unai Emery will hope so. After starting the season with a Super Cup defeat and one point from four Premier League games, they are now on a much stronger run without a loss in seven.
Rebuilding, on and off the pitch
There has been a bit of conjecture around whether the ongoing redevelopment of Villa Park has contributed to the less-than-stellar results on home soil, with just a point taken so far this term – but back-to-back Champions League wins will boost confidence and quieten any mental doubts. Still, Emery has more than that to contend with. If last season’s success was built around the Onana-Tielemans midfield axis, both parts are missing this term, for different reasons, and that means putting a new foundation in place for the team to build from. A whole host of new signings, a revamped front line and in truth a very different-looking spine is in place and that takes time to gel: from the well-established Emi Martinez-Ezri Konsa-Youri Tielemens-Ollie Watkins line, they’ve moved to Zion Suzuki, a mix of centre-backs, Johan Manzambi and Nicolas Jackson. It looks promising, but needs time.
Dealing with disgrace
Man City themselves haven’t wasted much energy on the charges they’re appealing against and keep racking up the wins – a three-point lead at the top is cosmetic at this stage, but beating the boos and jeers they’ll doubtless face on each road trip this term is going to bring the lineup more together, make it more resilient and determined. That, at least, is what Enzo Maresca will be banking on, and he certainly has the firepower at his disposal to ensure City should go out and attack every opponent into submission.
Recent form
Six wins in the last seven across all competitions for Villa, but just one point from three home league matches this term. It’s seven played, seven wins for Man City in the league, plus an easy midweek romp in Europe.
Team news
Full-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Matteo Ruggeri are out for Villa, while Amadou Onana is a long-term injury absentee.
City will be without Antoine Semenyo, but each of Mateo Kovačić, Nico O’Reilly and Matheus Nunes could be passed fit to join the squad. Erling Haaland will undoubtably return following his midweek rest for the Champions League win over AEK.
Key player
Getting Manzambi into key areas where he can attack the City defence, link with Jackson and be a goal threat is key. He’s had minimal gametime so far but he’s had more shots per 90 than other top-flight midfielders this term, while over the last year he’s ahead of 97% for shots compared to midfielders around Europe and 96% for goals. If those two forge a partnership, Villa will always have an out-ball and a goal threat.
Prediction
Villa have struggled on home soil but they should at least give their visitors a run for their money: Villa 2-3 City.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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