A close look at our opponents this weekend…
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We head to Aston Villa for a 12:30 (UK) kick-off on Saturday 24 October, seeking to extend our perfect record at the start of the Premier League season to eight matches.
Enzo Maresca has already set a record with his seven wins so far making him the Premier League boss with the most successive wins to start a period in charge of a club.
And we sit top of the table early on too, so there’s plenty of confidence amongst Maresca’s squad.
With the help of Opta data, we look at the next side standing in our way…
Recent form
After going goalless in their first three and picking up just one point from their first four, Villa appear to have steadied the ship.
They’ve beaten Spurs and Newcastle and drawn with Brentford in the last three league games, having also won all three games so far in the Champions League.
Going into the weekend, they’re 12th with eight points but will have designs on climbing the ladder quickly.
Maresca says Haaland is 100% available for Villa trip
Summer activity
It’s very much a new look Villa, with many of their key players through the spine of the team leaving during the summer.
Emiliano Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Lucas Digne, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins all found pastures new despite being pivotal to Villa’s plans in recent years.
They’ve been replaced by a host of young talent from around the continent.
Japan international Zion Suzuki is the new goalkeeper and has already caught the eye both with his shot stopping and the ball at his feet.
Swiss attacking midfielder Johan Manzambi has already formed a strong connection with winger Ibrahim Mbaye and striker Nicolas Jackson, both from Senegal.
Manager
Unai Emery is widely respected as one of the best managers in world football.
One of the current wave of Basque managers impressing at the top of the game, Emery has been a coach for more than two decades.
In that time, he’s become an expert in the Europa League – winning the competition five times.
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As for his work at Aston Villa since arriving in November 2022, Emery has taken Villa from a side looking over their shoulder and hoping to avoid relegation into a team with eyes on the biggest prizes.
In fact, they’re currently enjoying their second Champions League campaign under Emery.
Preferred formation
Throughout his time in charge, Emery has focused on a 4-2-3-1 shape and that remains the case in this campaign.
Zion Suzuki is the undisputed first choice between the sticks, with Matty Cash, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and summer arrival Matteo Ruggeri alternating across the full-back slots.
Cherki is one of the best in the right position, says Maresca
Tyrone Mings and Viktor Lindelof appear to be preferred at centre-back but Pau Torres and former City Academy star Taylor Harwood-Bellis remain strong options too.
Joao Gomes and Boubacar Kamara bring the energy in central midfield, with Johan Manzambi, Emi Buendia and John McGinn behind Nicolas Jackson up top.
Head-to-head record
We are very much on top in the overall head-to-head in the Premier League era, winning 31 of the 52 meetings and losing 11.
However, Aston Villa have won four of our last six Premier League meetings so they have improved in recent years.
Even at Villa Park though, we have won more than we’ve lost – 10 victories and eight defeats.
It was tough for City in both meetings last season, with Villa winning 1-0 at Villa Park before a 2-1 victory at the Etihad on the final day of the season when attention for City was understandably on the departures of Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva and John Stones.
How they attack
No side has had fewer shots on target than Aston Villa in the Premier League this season (22), with their average of 3.1 per game their second-lowest on record since 2003/04 in a campaign, after 2015/16 when they finished bottom.
Only four sides have scored fewer goals than Emery’s side in the first seven games, but Villa started incredibly slowly with no goals in their first three games.
They remain low down across all attacking metrics when compared to the rest of the league, with their shot accuracy the third worst in the division while only three sides have created fewer Opta-defined big chances than their 12.
They have shown they play to the final whistle though, with two of their seven goals coming in the last 15 minutes of games.
As for build-up play, they are not particularly attached to the ball. Their average of 409 passes per match places them firmly mid-table, while City are the most ball-hungry side with 637 passes a game.
Don’t expect many crosses into the box either – no side has sent in fewer in open-play than their 51 so far.
It’s been Manzambi and Jackson that have been the biggest goal threat so far, with two each, but goals can come from all over with Buendia, McGinn and Alysson also netting so far.
How they defend
Villa are the best side in the league when it comes to defending dead ball situations. They have yet to concede from a corner, while their one goal let in from all set pieces is better than everyone else.
Overall, their 11 goals let in marks them out as the 13th best defence so far.
Goalkeeper Suzuki has started life in England brilliantly, saving 73% of shots on his goal and keeping two clean sheets.
Both City and Villa have committed the same amount of fouls (75), but Villa have had 14 yellow cards to City’s nine and both sides have had one red card.
City v Brighton: £20 for adults and £1 for U18s
Tickets are now on sale for our Carabao Cup fourth round meeting with Brighton.
We host Fabian Hurzeler’s side at 19:30 (UK) on Wednesday 28 October.
Tickets for adults start from just £20, with all U18s only £1 – and you can also buy up to six tickets per person.
Taking place during half term school holidays too, it’s the perfect time to experience a night under the Etihad lights for all the family!
And there will be so much to do beforehand, with a Kids Fanzone just over the road at the City Football Academy ahead of kick-off.
Meanwhile, hospitality is available from just £100 with a range of packages on offer to suit your needs, whether a special occasion for a loved one or for something professional.
Book your place at the Seagulls encounter below.