Kick-off: 1800, 20/01/2021
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
TV: BT Sport
Manchester City have the chance to go top of the Premier League table when hosting Aston Villa just before neighbours United take on Fulham in London.
The Citizens have rattled off five straight wins in this competition and eight consecutive victories overall, including cup matches.
With just two goals conceded during that ominous run of results, 21/20 for another home win to nil here is our first Man City vs Aston Villa prediction.
A Look At Manchester City’s Betting Odds
City sent out a statement of intent regarding this season’s title race when crushing Crystal Palace 4-0 at this venue on Sunday night.
Rejuvenated defender John Stones hit an eye-catching double, while Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling also produced fine finishes.
Stones revealed the Blues are starting to feel “quietly confident” about becoming champions for the third time in four years but vowed to stay focused.
He said: “No-one really gets ahead of themselves, no-one looks too far, which is a great quality to have.
“In previous seasons where we have won the league, we have never looked further than the next game and that’s all we can affect and all we can prepare for.
“We keep that mentality and hopefully we can keep on this winning run.”
In all competitions, Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in 15 games and have kept clean sheets in 12 of them.
Of the 10 matches Stones and summer signing Ruben Dias have started to together, City have won nine and conceded just one goal.
Looking at the Man City vs Aston Villa odds, we like 6/1 for a smooth 2-0 success on this occasion.
Last City line-up: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Zinchenko, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Silva, Fernandinho, Sterling, Jesus.
A Look At Aston Villa’s Betting Odds
Villa were also in good form before being rocked by a Covid outbreak which forced them to close their training ground for 10 days.
Dean Smith’s side picked up three wins in a five-match unbeaten run over the festive period and were rated a touch unfortunate to then lose 2-1 at Old Trafford.
However, Villa had to field a youthful line-up for their 4-1 FA Cup defeat by Liverpool and postponed proposed clashes with Tottenham and Everton.
Smith told the Express and Star: “It’s been a tough period but we have to make sure we worry first and foremost about the people who have tested positive and make sure they make a healthy return.”
Regarding the well-being of his players, the manager added: “There has been a mixture. Some have had symptoms, some haven’t.”
Villa could be forgiven for viewing this daunting test as a match worth sacrificing, in order to prepare better for Saturday’s visit of Newcastle.
That may lead to Smith setting up his team in a more defensive manner early on at Etihad Stadium.
With that in mind, 13/5 for their opponents to be just 1-0 up at the break is worth adding to our Man City vs Aston Villa betting tips.
Last Villa EPL line-up: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, Luiz, McGinn, Grealish, El Ghazi, Watkins, Traore.
Additional stats
Last result:
MAN CITY 4-0 Crystal Palace – John Stones (2), Ilkay Gundogan, Raheem Sterling
ASTON VILLA 1-4 Liverpool – Louie Barry
Head-to-head: Aston Villa 1-2 Man City, Aston Villa 1-6 Man City, Man City 3-0 Aston Villa
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