By Filip Mishov
A conflict of two in-form sides led by a few nice Spanish masterminds
Unai Emery had his groove again, Aston Villa had been on a five-match successful streak throughout the Premier League and the Europa League, however a setback adopted, with the Villans’ heavily-rotated facet dropping to Go Forward Eagles. Nonetheless, the Midlands’ guests nonetheless gained the xG (2.82) battle and dominated the possession within the Netherlands, which is additional proof that they’ve turned the web page by way of their performances this season.
Identical to Villa, Pep Guardiola‘s squad are using excessive on confidence, with the Cityzens unbeaten throughout all competitions since August, with Gianluigi Donnarumma maintaining a clear sheet in every of the final three video games. The Premier League title contenders are hitting prime kind forward of an extremely robust fixture run, together with dwelling matches towards Bournemouth, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool earlier than November’s worldwide break.
The Sky Blues’ final win at Villa Park dates again to 2021 and the then-champions misplaced in Birmingham each final season in addition to the season earlier than. Unai Emery boasts an ideal report towards Pep Guardiola at Villa Park, which is each uncommon and spectacular on the identical time.
Key gamers
Former Metropolis teenager, Morgan Rogers is excelling below Unai Emery’s steerage and the 23-year-old is Villa’s most harmful attacker this season. The England worldwide is the squad’s joint-top performer within the Premier League primarily based on targets + assists (3) alongside unlikely hero, Emiliano Buendia, and the tenacious attacking midfielder is rating excessive in each possibilities created (7) and massive possibilities created (3), making him a risk in and across the field.
Regardless of Erling Haaland scoring all of the targets, Man Metropolis’s outcomes have improved primarily because of the refinement of their defence and Ruben Dias has performed a key position in steadying the ship in entrance of Gigi. The Portuguese centre-back has began in all however two matches throughout all competitions this season and his presence and management is a settling presence. Moreover, the vice-captain is averaging a FotMob ranking of seven.5 over the previous 5 matches, whereas his compatriot at right-back, Matheus Nunes additionally deserves a notable point out for his contribution.
Workforce information
Unai Emery is near having a full squad to choose from apart from Youri Tielemans, who’s injured and can miss Sunday’s conflict, whereas Lucas Digne is uncertain.
Abdukodir Khusanov and Rodri are the one sure absentees for Metropolis, whereas Nico González is a doubt. Guardiola’s facet have had an additional 48 hours greater than the Villans to relaxation and put together for the match, which can absolutely profit the guests from Manchester.
Prediction
With each squads having fun with a good run of kind, it’s onerous to choose a transparent favorite, however given Aston Villa’s current dwelling report towards Manchester Metropolis, I count on targets on both facet, and if I’ve to choose a winner, it could be the latter, solely on account of having the free-scoring Erling Haaland.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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