Aston Villa v Manchester City: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The Saturday lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League this weekend pits Aston Villa against ailing champions Manchester City.

Both teams head into this game off the back of defeats, with Villa having lost 2-1 to Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest, while a dramatic finish at the Etihad Stadium saw City lose 2-1 to Manchester United on Sunday.

However, Villa are still impressing under Unai Emery and are only two points behind City, whose Premier League title defence is seemingly in tatters.

Aston Villa v Manchester City betting tips and predictions

Aston Villa to win - 23/10

It is a bold move to oppose the Citizens, who have lost eight of their last 11 matches in all competitions.

To put into perspective how incredibly poor that streak is, City had lost the same number of games within their last 106 fixtures.

The term 'crisis' is thrown around too much in football and City are only three points off third-placed Arsenal, but it is fair to say Pep Guardiola and his team are enduring a crisis in confidence and Villa Park is not an ideal destination for a struggling group.

Villa were edged by Forest last time out but conceded two late goals in the 87th minute and 93rd minute and they had reeled off three straight wins in all competitions against Brentford, Southampton and RB Leipzig beforehand.

Unai Emery's side are also a tough nut to crack on their own patch, where they have lost just once in the Premier League this season.

City led the Manchester derby last Sunday from the 36th minute onwards, but Amad Diallo's late show turned the match on its head and they lost 2-1.

And even though the manner of defeat was gut-wrenching, they did not exactly light up the derby and performances continue to underwhelm like their results, so back Villa to win this at odds-against.

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals - 4/5

Any impenetrable edge shown by City's defence in previous seasons is well and truly gone.

The Citizens have been leaking goals, keeping just one clean sheet in their last 11 matches.

In 10 of their last 11 games, they have been breached at least twice, so the Villans should have ample opportunity to strike.

That said, City are still a danger going forwards with 28 goals in 16 league assignments and both teams to score and over 2.5 goals represents a great secondary bet.

Jhon Duran to score at anytime - 9/4

One major selection headache which Villa boss Emery faces this season is whether to start with Jhon Duran or Ollie Watkins at the forefront of his team's attack.

Watkins was prolific in the Premier League last term, netting 19 goals in the top-flight and he is key to the team's high-pressing approach.

But when it comes to goals return this season, Duran is more reliable.

He has scored just one less Premier League goal than Watkins, six compared to seven, but he scores more frequently, averaging a goal every 80 minutes in the top-flight.

He was handed a start and scored against Forest last time out, but even if he drops to the bench for this one, he has shown how dangerous he can be as a substitute and he looks a big price at 9/4 to find the net against permeable City.

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Aston Villa v Manchester City odds

Aston Villa - 23/10
Draw - 11/4
Manchester City - 21/20

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.