Game Week 8 Predictions: Villa and City to fight to finish at Villa Park

Aston Villa has what it takes to hand Manchester City their first defeat of the season. Can Unai Emery's side end City's winning run...

Aston Villa has what it takes to hand Manchester City their first defeat of the season. Can Unai Emery's side end City's winning run? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Aston Villa vs Manchester City

Villa Park

12:30pm

Villa Park will host what can be considered the juggernaut fixture of the day in the Premier League, with the runners-up from last season facing the Europa League champions.

The two sides met on the final day of last season, with Villa shocking the Cityzens on Pep Guardiola's final day in charge at the Etihad; Erling Haaland and the rest of the lads who witnessed the home loss will hope to avenge the defeat on Saturday.

How did both of them fare in midweek in the Champions League? Enzo Maresca's side destroyed AEK Athens as expected, and Villa did the same to their opponents too. Both teams enter this match with a winning streak.

Last weekend was also intriguing for both sides in the league. The hosts beat Newcastle United 1-0 at St. James's Park to record their third win of the campaign. Their early season form is now over, but it will be tested again when the Cityzens visit on Saturday.

For City, it wasn't all rosy in the end, but they ran out 3-2 winners against new boys Ipswich Town. Erling Haaland scored twice as City led 3-1, but Marc Guehi, who was also suspect for Ipswich's opener, fouled Abdoulai Fatawu in the City area, and Flemming blasted home from six yards.

How will they approach this one? Aston Villa will go all out for this one. Unai Emery will hope his lads stay close to their men on the day and take their chances when they get any. Trust Villa to create chances; will they convert any?

Manchester City will seek to play through the middle and through the press of the home side. Maresca is known to rotate his squad. Marc Guehi had a torrid day last weekend. Will he be trusted to lead the defense again?

The bulk of City's game is now dictated by Enzo Fernandes. The Argentine is instrumental to how Manchester City plays. From deep, the former Chelsea midfielder will hope to dictate play and power City forward, will he shine in this one?

Who else do you expect magic from for Villa? John McGinn has been immense for Villa, and he will once again lead from the middle. Joao Gomes and Bubacar Kamara are expected to complete the midfield trio against City.

Phil Foden is a man reborn; his trick against AEK Athens shows a man in form, but he's not expected to start on Saturday. Antoine Semenyo is injured, so Ilman Indiaye and Jeremy Doku are expected to play wide, while Rayan Cherki is expected to be in the hole behind Haaland.

Verdict: Over 2.5 cards