Premier League preview and odds: Manchester City vs Aston Villa

Published on: 04/03/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Manchester City vs Aston Villa

March 05, 2016 16:00pm - Etihad Stadium

Premier League

Manchester City desperately need a win to keep their Premier League title hopes alive. Will a home clash against a stricken Aston Villa side provide the tonic they need?

City 10 points adrift

It has been a week of highs and lows for Manchester City who lifted the Capital One Cup by beating Liverpool on Sunday, before being humbled 3-0 in the league by the same opponents in midweek.

The league defeat at Anfield leaves Manuel Pellegrini`s men 10 points adrift of league leaders Leicester with a game in hand. It also marked the first time that the Sky Blues have lost three Premier League games in a row since they were taken over by their current owners.

In their last two home matches, the Citizens were beaten by title rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City. They will be hoping to get back to winning ways against a team that looks certain to be relegated.

Villas hopes fading fast

A run of four defeats in the last five games has almost put the writing on the wall for stricken Aston Villa. Remi Garde`s men are now eight points from safety with inferior goal difference to all their relegation rivals. To avoid relegation from this position would require something close to a miracle for the Midland club.

They come into this game on the back of 1-3 defeat at home to Everton. Their only win on the road this season came on the opening day when they nicked a 1-0 victory at Bournemouth. Since then, they have lost 10 and drawn two league games away from Villa Park.

Team news

City are still without Fabian Delph, Kevin De Bruyne and Samir Nasri.

Meanwhile, the visitors will have to make do without the services of Jack Grealish, Libor Kozak, Carlos Sanchez and Jordan Amavi.

Recent form (League)

Manchester City: LLLWD

Aston Villa: LLLWLD

Betting odds and tips

Despite their mini-slump, City will be clear favourites to win this one. Their visitors have not won away since August and have scored just twice in their last five away games.

You can back the home side to Win to Nil at 5/6 with Bet365

By Neil Morris

Published on: 04/03/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (04/03/2016 15:20:53) but are subject to change.