Manchester City vs. Aston Villa Preview & Correct Score Prediction

2020-21 Premier League preview: Manchester City vs. Aston Villa – Etihad stadium – Sunday, 20th January 2021 – 18:00 hrs BST

Pep Guardiola's City welcome Aston Villa for a Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night. The Cityzens are on a five-game winning streak in the League and have galloped to the second spot, just 2 points behind leaders Manchester United on the table.

Aston Villa, winless from their last two outings, are 10th in the standings with 26 points but have three games in hand courtesy a coronavirus outbreak in their camp. The Villans first team players have not played a match since New Year’s Day, with the club forced to field a youth side in their FA Cup defeat to Liverpool.

To make matters worse, two home games against Tottenham Hotspur and Everton had to be postponed.

Manchester City form guide across all competitions: W-W-W-W-W

Aston Villa form guide across all competitions: L-L-D-W-W

Guardiola will have to do without Sergio Aguero, who is currently under self-isolation after having come into contact with a Covid-19 infected person. Ace defender Aymeric Laporte is still struggling with a hamstring injury and his participation in Wednesday night's clash is in doubt.

Eric Garcia could return after having completed 15 days in isolation. The likes of Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Ferran Torres and Gabriel Jesus will all be pushing for starts after being left on the bench in the 4-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace last weekend.

As for Villa, Dean Smith will have to make the trip to Manchester without Trezeguet, but will have most of his top players returning to the fold. Ross Barkley may return to action, at least from the bench, following his recovery from a thigh strain.

Manchester City probable XI in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Ederson (goal); Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Kyle Walker; Ilkay Gundogan, Rodrigo; Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling; Gabriel Jesus

Aston Villa probable XI in a 4-3-3 formation: Emiliano Martinez (goal), Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Matt Targett, Douglas Luiz, John McGinn, Jack Grealish, Bertrand Traore, Ollie Watkins, Anwar El Ghazi

Villa despite having all their key stars returning could be a bit rusty given their lack of match practice this year and could find the going difficult against a City side in their best form of the season. Despite their early struggles at the back, City now have the best defensive record in the league, having conceded just 13 goals so far. Aston Villa have scored the same number of goals as City but given their present state, may struggle to even find a point at the Etihad. City are by far the overwhelming favourites to take three points January 21st unless Villa hit on some kind of freakish form.

Bet365 odds

The latest bet365 odds quoted were correct as of 19/01/2021 and are subject to change.

Man City to win: 2/9

Aston Villa to win: 11/1

Draw: 11/2

Correct score

Man City 2-0: 7/1 (probable scoreline)

Man City 3-0: 8/1

Man City 2-1: 17/2

Man City 1-0: 17/2

Man City 3-1: 11/1

Draw 1-1: 12/1

Man City 4-0: 12/1

Man City 4-1: 16/1

Aston Villa 1-0: 28/1

Aston Villa 2-1: 28/1

Anytime Goalscorer

Raheem Sterling: 4/6

Gabriel Jesus: 5/6

Riyad Mahrez: 5/4

Phil Foden: 5/4

Ferran Torres: 11/10

Ilkay Gundogan: 13/8

Ollie Watkins: 3/1

Anwar El Ghazi: 9/2

Jack Grealish: 9/2

Bertrand Traore: 5/1

Relevant news