Aston Villa go in search of a sixth consecutive Premier League victory on Tuesday evening, when travelling north to take on Manchester City.
Unai Emery's side find themselves in an impressive run of form at present, with 11 wins in their last 13 games in all competitions, and 10 in their last 11.
They look to maintain their push for a Champions League place next season against fellow top five hopefuls Man City, while aiming to extend their winning run away from home in the league to four matches.
Pep Guardiola's reigning Premier League champions currently sit fifth with five matches to play, and like the Villans, will compete in the semi-finals of the FA Cup at Wembley this weekend, when they take on Nottingham Forest.
Tuesday's hosts are on a six-game unbeaten run of their own heading into this clash, and will be looking to record their third straight league victory after a 2-0 win at Everton on Saturday followed up a 5-2 triumph at home to Crystal Palace the weekend before.
Stats
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has had a hand in 48 away Premier League goals in 88 appearances (34 goals, 14 assists), including five in his last seven (4 goals, 1 assist). Only Gabriel Agbonlahor has reached 50+ goals and assists away from home for Villa (40 goals, 19 assists).
Omar Marmoush has scored six goals in his six home Premier League appearances for Manchester City so far, scoring every 81 minutes, while across his last 17 home league appearances, including his time with Eintracht Frankfurt, he has 14 goals and six assists.
Manchester City have scored 36 goals in 11 home games in all competitions in 2025, scoring two or more goals in 10 out of 11 games. Their goals per game average of 3.27 is their fourth best in a calendar year, behind 1898 (3.31, 53 in 16), 1895 (3.29, 46 in 14) and 2019 (3.29, 92 in 28).
Aston Villa have won each of their last two away Premier League games 3-0, beating Brighton and Southampton. That’s as many three-goal away wins as they’d had in their previous 84 away games combined. They’ve never achieved this in three away top-flight games in a row.
Manchester City have won each of their last nine home Premier League matches in April by an aggregate score of 35-8. The last side to beat City at the Etihad in this month was Leeds United in a 2-1 win in 2021.
Aston Villa have won their last three away Premier League matches, keeping a clean sheet in each. Their last longer away winning run was between November and February in 2008/09 (7), while they’ve never won four in a row without conceding in the top-flight.
Manchester City have conceded 21 home Premier League goals this season, their most in a season since the 2015/16 campaign (also 21). They last conceded more at home in a season back in 2003/04 (24).
Across their 14 consecutive home Premier League wins against Aston Villa, Man City have trailed in just two games, going 1-0 down in May 2010 and 2-0 down in May 2022 before winning 3-1 and 3-2 respectively. In Premier League history, only City themselves against Newcastle United (an ongoing run of 16) have won more consecutive home games against an opponent.
Aston Villa have won two of their last three league games against Man City, as many as in their previous 23. They’re looking to complete their first league double over the Citizens since 1962/63.
Manchester City have won their last 14 Premier League home games against Aston Villa, scoring at least twice in each of the last 13. Their last defeat was in April 2007 under Stuart Pearce.
The Last Meeting
Villa will be looking to complete a first league double over the Cityzens since the 1962/63 season on Tuesday evening, after an impressive 2-1 win against the champions in the reverse fixture.
Guardiola's men visited Villa Park in December, and after going close on a few occasions in the opening couple of minutes, the hosts took the lead with 16 minutes on the clock when Morgan Rogers squared for Jhon Durán who made no mistake.
Things got even better for Villa 25 minutes from time when Rogers surged forward, exchanged passes with John McGinn and found the bottom corner to double Unai Emery's side's advantage.
And, despite Phil Foden's goal in stoppage time from close range, the Villans held on to seal an impressive performance with three points in their last outing before Christmas.
Team News
Unai Emery will again have a fully-fit squad to select from, having declared a clean bill of heath at Monday afternoon's press conference.
Ross Barkley again came off the bench on Saturday having recently returned from injury, as Pau Torres, Leon Bailey and Lamare Bogarde were the three to miss out on the matchday squad.
Stefan Ortega could again start in goal for City after Ederson missed out with a groin injury over the weekend. If selected, Mateo Kovačić will make his 200th Premier League appearance.
Manuel Akanji returned from injury at Goodison Park, though Erling Haaland, Rodri, John Stones and Nathan Aké remain out as longer-term absentees for Tuesday's hosts.
Managers' Pre-Match Thoughts
“We can’t stop. We’re involved in our key moment in the season. Through the Premier League, we are trying to get our first objective in 38 matches. Tomorrow is day 34 against Manchester City, one of the teams contending to be in the top four or top five. My respect for them is massive, as always. We are ready. Every player and every worker here in Aston Villa is so, so focused in the moment we’re in.”
Unai Emery
“Aston Villa are a contender to qualify for the Champions League. The game against PSG and my friend Luis Enrique, I was really impressed. They can play a low block and with the speed and the set pieces they have it’s a weapon. It’s a final and our people can help us to play the Champions League again next season.”
Pep Guardiola
