Villa out to upset Man City

2019/20 Premier League

Round 22

10-12 January 2020

Aston Villa will chase an upset Premier League win over Manchester City when the teams meet at Villa Park in Birmingham on Sunday 12 January 2020, kick-off at 16:30. The match is one of 10 spread across the weekend of 10-12 January for Round 22 of the current English top-flight season.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola

Aston Villa come into the clash on the back of mixed results and in the midst of a busy schedule. Following a key Premier League win over Burnley last week, the Lions then succumbed at the hands of Fulham in the FA Cup, with manager Dean Smith fielding a weakened team knowing that his side also has a League Cup tie with Leicester City.

“It [the FA Cup] was not on top of our priorities which is because of what has happened over the last week or so, and the games we've had, which is unfortunate,” admitted Smith.

Man City also made major changes for their FA Cup win over Port Vale, which followed a Premier League triumph over Everton. The Citizens will also face Manchester United in the first leg of the League Cup semifinals this midweek.

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“Of course it is important to play the young boys,” manager Pep Guardiola said. “It is not because they are English players but we believe they can do it. We don't give presents. They have to earn for themselves. In these games we have space for everyone.”

Manchester-City-forward-Gabriel-Jesus

In head-to-head terms, Villa and City have met in 154 previous matches. The Citizens have claimed 66 wins compared to 49 for the Lions, while 39 games have been drawn.

The teams’ Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium back in October 2019 ended 3-0 in favour of Man City, whose goals were scored by Raheem Sterling, David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan. Villa’s last win over City arrived back in September 2013.