Aston Villa vs Man City: Can City maintain their perfect start against in-form Villa?

Aston Villa host Manchester City at Villa Park on Saturday, with both sides looking to continue their brilliant Premier League form.

Unai Emery’s side are coming off a 3-1 Champions League win over Viking, with Ross Barkley, Emiliano Buendia and an own goal securing all three points.

After a shaky start, Villa are unbeaten in seven matches, with six wins and a draw lifting them up the Premier League and Champions League tables.

Emery provided an update on Johan Manzambi’s fitness, saying he would assess the midfielder before training to determine whether he would be available.

Villa’s resurgence has coincided with the Swiss international’s introduction, with the 21-year-old registering three goals and two assists in his first four starts.

However, Manzambi suffered an injury against Newcastle United last weekend and missed Wednesday’s Champions League victory.

Manchester City form:

Enzo Maresca’s side also secured a midweek Champions League victory, thrashing AEK Athens 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

Phil Foden scored a hat-trick, while Rayan Cherki and Elliot Anderson also found the net.

City sit top of the Premier League with seven wins from seven, although Villa’s home record against them provides encouragement for the hosts.

Erling Haaland missed the midweek victory after picking up a knock against Ipswich Town, but Maresca confirmed the Norwegian is “100% available” for Saturday.

Foden has scored four goals in two games since returning from suspension, with Maresca praising his importance to the side.

The City manager said: “I have sat down with Phil two or three times, especially at the beginning, to show him how important he is.”

Head-to-head:

Villa are unbeaten in their last four home meetings with City, recording three wins and a draw since 2021.

The last meeting came in Pep Guardiola’s farewell match last season, when Ollie Watkins scored twice in a 2-1 Villa victory at the Etihad.

Team news:

Villa remain without Amadou Onana, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Matteo Ruggeri, while Manzambi’s availability remains uncertain.

Emery said: “Other players we will see how they are after the match we played on Wednesday. Some were in some pain.”

For City, Matheus Nunes, Nico O’Reilly and Mateo Kovacic “could all be available”, although Maresca admitted there are “still doubts” over the trio.

Antoine Semenyo is also sidelined for two months after suffering an injury against Ipswich last weekend.

Predicted line-ups:

Aston Villa XI: Suzuki; Mings, Lindelof, Torres, Cash; Gomes, Kamara, Barkley; Buendia, McGinn, Jackson.

Manchester City XI: Donnarumma; Gvardiol, Guehi, Dias, Khusanov; Anderson, Bouaddi, Fernandez; Doku, Ndiaye, Haaland.