Aston Villa aim to upset Manchester City again, but this time the stakes are lower. A Villa win would be a boost but not the same statement as last year. Both teams are struggling this season. Villa need to prove their consistency, and City needs a win to regain momentum.
When Villa defeated Manchester City last December, it prompted Pep Guardiola to declare Unai Emery 's team contenders for the Premier League title. Aston Villa manager Unai Emery was furious with VAR following their defeat at Nottingham Forest. The chances of Guardiola offering a similar statement if they repeat the feat on Saturday are slim.
Similar to then, a Villa victory would propel them above the champions in the table, except this time both clubs find themselves further from the summit than 12 months ago. For the first time since Guardiola's debut season in England, City do not appear as serious title challengers. Having been beaten in eight of their last 11 matches, a record unthinkable just a few weeks ago, they will arrive at Villa Park desperate for a result to regain momentum to their faltering campaign. However, this is also a crucial game for Villa at the start of what looks, at least on paper, a pivotal Christmas period that sees them face three opponents currently positioned around them in the tightly packed table. A trip to Newcastle and a home fixture against Brighton follow before the end of 2023. Beating City wouldn't have the same impact as a year ago, when the 1-0 victory and, more importantly, the performance hinted at a club reasserting itself as a serious Premier League force. Nonetheless, it might lend more credence to the idea that Emery's men have the capability to challenge for European football and a top-five finish. So far, Villa have been too inconsistent to be convincing, and they have struggled against the teams Emery often identifies as bigger 'contenders' for Europe than his own. Only one of their seven league wins has come against a team currently in the top half, and for all City's struggles, beating them would still represent their best victory of the campaign. Reasons for Villa's stumbles over the past two months are numerous
Aston Villa Manchester City Premier League Unai Emery Pep Guardiola
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