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Aston Villa vs Manchester City Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction

Date: Sunday, 26 October 2025 Kick-off: 14:00 UK Time Venue: Villa Park There will be little love lost when Aston Villa host Manchester City on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League. City will see this as another fixture to assert some dominance, but Unai Emery’s side will be no easy opponent in front of their own fans. City will have to contend with travel this week, something their hosts won’t need to worry about, but possibly more relevant is the fact that Villa is the side with a bit of form here.

Ryan Liberty
Ryan Liberty

Last updated: 2025-10-21

Chad Nagel

5 minutes read

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Erling Haaland of Manchester City

Erling Haaland / Getty Images

Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability

The early odds ahead of this game suggest City are heavy favourites. 

  1. Aston Villa: 10/3 (4.33) – 23%

  2. Draw: 12/5 (3.4) – 29%

  3. Manchester City: 4/9 (1.44) – 69%
    Odds courtesy of Betway.

Head-to-Head Record

Here is a look at the head-to-head between these two teams in recent encounters

  1. 22/04/25: Manchester City 2-1 Aston Villa  

  2. 06/12/23: Aston Villa 1-0 Manchester City  

  3. 12/02/23: Manchester City 3-1 Aston Villa  

  4. 03/09/22: Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester City

Aston Villa: Current Form – DDWWW

Aston Villa come into this fixture off the back of an impressive victory over Tottenham last time out in the Premier League. They are unbeaten in their last five encounters, and Unai Emery’s side will no doubt feel they have what it takes to pinch a few points off their visitors here. 

Their home form has been impressive and a major reason they have remained relevant in the league this season. Nevertheless, they face a side capable of punishing them for every slip in concentration here. 

Key Players to Watch

  • Emiliano Buendia 
    He has struggled for game time this season, but there is no denying that he is a creative engine, and his ability to link their defensive ability with their offensive threat is something that remains pivotal to this team’s ability. 
  • Ollie Watkins 
    He is another player at Villa who has struggled to find a place in the starting lineup this season. Yes, he is a clinical finisher and a real threat in front of goal, but in a game where Villa is likely to play on the counter-attack, he is right at home in this environment. 
  • John McGinn
    Is there a player at Villa with a bigger engine than John McGinn? I certainly doubt it. His relentless energy, box-to-box style, and coverage all put Villa in a great place to launch various attacks and get into incredibly promising positions. 

Aston Villa Team News

Tyrone Mings is still nursing a knock, and Youri Tielemans is still unavailable for the clash, while Villa might still boast a degree of depth in their squad.

Manchester City: Current Form WWDWW

While the narrative around Pep Guardiola’s side leaves something to be desired, they are still a side considered among the very elite in football, and their recent performances have edged closer and closer to dominance in possession and various chances created – essentially, much of the old City. 

Interestingly, given the personnel available to City and their recent performances, one wonders whether or not they will be able to play their usual game or revert to an adjusted midfield approach. 

Key Player to Watch

  • Erling Haaland 
    Granted, he is yet to hit the benchmark of recent performances, but he remains one of the most prolific players in the box. There is no situation where Villa can afford to ignore his threat, and so it goes without saying that he remains the talisman going into this clash. 
  • Phil Foden 
    While the young Englishman remains a creative force in the league, his lack of gametime remains as a proverbial question mark above his head. His ability to unlock defences and see his team progress forward will always be something to celebrate, but he needs to find his best run of form as a matter of urgency.
  • Tijani Reijnders
    Since joining the Premier League, he has been a handful to deal with for opposing defenders, and his ability in front of goal doesn’t leave too much to be desired either. He has an energy about his game that sees his pressing ability aid City, and the linkup play through transitions is something often lauded over by Guardiola. 

Manchester City Team News

At the time of writing, Rodri remains a doubt with his hamstring injury. Rayan Ait-Nouri has been sidelined with an ankle injury, and Abdukodir Khusanov is still a doubt with his foot injury. 

Predicted Line-Ups

  1. Aston Villa 
    Martínez; Cash, Pau Torres, Konsa, Digne; McGinn, Onana; Buendía, Kamara, Rogers; Watkins

  2. Manchester City 
    Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Ake, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Doku, Reijnders; Foden, Haaland, Savinho

Suggested Bets

If you are looking for safer betting options for this Premier League encounter, here are the bets we suggest you consider. 

  1. Both Teams to Score (BTTS): Yes – Given Villa’s improved attacking threat and City’s occasional defensive vulnerabilities, this looks to be a viable betting option. 19/20 with 1Bet.

  2. Over 2.5 Goals – With two teams that like to press and attack, a match with three or more goals is likely. Over 2.5 Goals provides another betting angle for goals in the game. 6/10 with Betway.

  3. Manchester City to Win – City are the favourites, and when it comes down to it, it is difficult to see past a City win. 9/10 with Stake.

Value Bets

These are the betting suggestions for users wanting to entertain higher odds and value plays. 

  1. Ollie Watkins to Score Anytime – Villa will look to him for opportunity, and he has been in fine form. 28/10 with Betway. 

  2. Erling Haaland to Score Anytime – Despite his comments, he remains lethal and likely to have chances. 14/10 with Stake. 

  3. First Team to Score – Aston Villa – With the crowd behind them and City perhaps slightly more vulnerable here, Villa opening the scoring is a speculative angle. 14/10 with Betway. 

Prediction: City Win/Draw and Both Teams to Score 

Villa have played football at a level that makes them a strong contender to come away from this encounter with something to show for it. Yes, City are the stronger side on paper, but not only is football not played on paper, City will need to be at their level best in order to get something out of this encounter. 
We don’t think it is cut and dry, but City doesn’t lose this. Back the visitors to get something out of the game and both teams to score. 

Ryan Liberty
Ryan LibertyBetting Writer

Ryan Liberty is a sportswriter who engages readers with a unique, conversational and entertaining diction and tone. Given his passion for football, horseracing, formula 1 and tennis – to just name a few – related topics, he has contributed to various publications around South Africa mainly as well as abroad. Ryan is often associated with insightful and intriguing content. From previews, predictions and everything in-between, Ryan’s work combines in-depth anyalysis with a love for sport and betting. Suitable for a global audience, Ryan continues to deliver work to fellow sports enthusiasts.