Aston Villa vs Manchester City Prediction & Betting Tips (21 December)

For Aston Villa, potentially starting wingers Bailey and Ramsey are unavailable this Saturday, injured. Most often used off the bench, striker Duran (5 goals in PL) stood out by scoring last weekend and this week. He could be associated with Rogers (4 goals and 2 assists in PL) and thus relegate Watkins to the bench (7 goals and 3 assists in PL). Recovered from his injury, midfielder Onana remained on the bench for the last 2 matches. Ballon d'Or Rodri is expected to miss the entire season. His absence does a lot of harm to Manchester City who have been bogged down since his injury. We must also mention the withdrawals of potentially starting defenders Stones, Akanji and Aké as well as the young winger who has been absent for several weeks now, Bobb.

Finally, the all-rounder Lewis is suspended. On the last day, Erling Haaland (13 goals in PL) found the net. He could still be supported by De Bruyne (2 goals and 2 assists in PL). The Norwegian international constitutes the almost exclusive offensive asset of the Cityzens. Indeed, no other element exceeds the mark of 3 goals in the championship.

Turning our attention to the intriguing clash between Aston Villa and Manchester City, it's clear that recent form will play a crucial role. Manchester City, despite their undoubted talent, has been experiencing a mixed run of results, with notable defeats against Manchester United and Juventus, and draws against Crystal Palace. Their victories, however, such as the dominant 3-0 win over Nottingham , highlight their potential when everything clicks. Pep Guardiola will be keen to iron out inconsistencies and ensure his team can deliver a performance befitting their stature.

On the other side, Aston Villa has been enjoying a commendable season, with key players stepping up to the challenge. Villa will likely look to exploit any defensive frailties City might exhibit, given their recent defensive lapses in key matches. Villa's attacking trio, including Ollie Watkins, will be pivotal in capitalizing on scoring opportunities. City's defense, marshalled by Ruben Dias, will need to be on high alert to contain Villa's forward movements. This matchup promises a tactical battle where both teams will need to be at their strategic best to secure a favorable result.

Looking ahead to the clash between Aston Villa and Manchester City on December 21, a 1:1 draw seems like a balanced outcome given the current form of both teams. Aston Villa's resilience and ability to challenge top-tier teams, combined with Manchester City's occasional defensive lapses and mixed results, set the stage for a tightly contested match. Both teams have the firepower to find the back of the net, with Villa's Ollie Watkins and City's Erling Haaland leading their respective attacking lines, making a scoreline of 1:1 a likely scenario.