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Following a difficult start to the season, Aston Villa now have their campaign firmly back on track. Unai Emery's team started the round in 11th place, but they're unbeaten in five and have won each of their previous three. A home win over Manchester City would go some way to reminding their doubters that the Villans are capable of challenging for the top four again.
Manchester City roll into town hoping to win and pile pressure on current leaders Arsenal. The visitors start second in the pile, knowing the only team above them in the pecking order face a daunting London Derby against Crystal Palace. Pep Guardiola's stars have a point to prove this season and know leaving Villa with all three points would add more confidence to the ranks.
The head-to-head stats available on the Flashscore mobile app and user-friendly website show Aston Villa and Man City shared six goals across two meetings last season. Interestingly, the team with the home advantage won 2-1 on both occasions. Will that trend continue in Sunday's renewal? Popular Premier League betting writer Frank Monkhouse offers his preview and picks.
Aston Villa v Man City tips
Both teams to score @ 4/6 (bet365)
Over 2.5 goals @ 8/11 (bet365)
Haaland to first first @ 10/3 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Villa have scored four EPL goals this month
Our first suggested bet on Sunday's showdown at Villa Park is for both teams to score. We lean on the head-to-head stats for this pick. A wager on both teams to score would've landed you a profit in each of the previous three renewals of this fixture. Going back further, backing BTTS was the correct approach in eight of the last nine, a run taking us back to April 2021.
Sticking with those nine games, we see Man City have claimed six wins, with Villa taking the points on two occasions, and the remainder ending in a 1-1 draw. Four of the nine have produced 2-1 final scores, with Man City edging three and Villa banking the other. With that in mind, I wouldn't talk anyone out of playing the correct score, but we're taking the safer option.
Adding even more confidence to our Aston Villa v Manchester City prediction, we investigate the recent form of both clubs. Villa have two league matches under their belt this month, and both teams scored in each. They beat Burnley 2-1 at this venue before edging Tottenham by the same scoreline in London. The locals can score, but their defence is far from reliable.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 4/6 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You want to see Aston Villa and Man City score at least one goal each.
Trust the totals at Villa Park
Our second pick in the West Midlands follows a similar train of thought to the previous prediction. We're backing Aston Villa v Man City to produce three or more goals from both teams combined. You'll find this bet in the totals market on the app of major sportsbooks, including bet365. The final score and the match winner aren't important. All you need are goals.
An emphatic 3-0 home win pays the same as a late 2-1 victory for Man City. If we end with more than two goals scored, you'll be cheering home a profit. Again, the stats work in our favour. Over 2.5 beat the bookies when Aston Villa played Tottenham, Burnley, Fulham, and Crystal Palace this season. It also increased your balance when Man City faced Burnley and Man Utd.
Looking at the Premier League table heading into the weekend, Aston Villa have played eight games, scored eight goals, and conceded eight. That'll make bettors sit up and take note. Man City have been as free-scoring as you'd expect this summer. They have a +11 goal difference, thanks to 17 goals scored and six conceded. Over 2.5 goals will give bettors a run for their money.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 8/11 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Aston Villa v Manchester City must produce at least three goals.
Stick with the star striker
As the Premier League 2025/26 season is only eight games old, it doesn't make sense to start talking about the top goalscorer. However, one man is already head and shoulders above the competition, and there are no prizes for guessing who that is. Man City marksman Erling Haaland leads the way, leaving the EPL's other big names choking in his dust.
Haaland is the top Premier League scorer ahead of the weekend, having rattled in a stunning 11 goals and provided one assist in eight appearances. For context, Erling's nearest rival in the race for the Golden Boot is Bournemouth's Semenyo, with six goals, ahead of Igor Thiago's five strikes for Brentford. That's frightening, and there's plenty more still to come from Haaland.
The Leeds-born striker doesn't have the best record in this fixture, but he's a man filled with confidence. Haaland has scored at least one goal in each of his previous dozen games for club and country. That's impressive, to say the least. In that 12-match spell, Haaland has found the back of the net 22 times. He scored the first goal in each of his last five games.
Tip: Haaland to score first @ 10/3 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need Erling Haaland to score first for the sixth match in a row.
Aston Villa v Man City odds
Aston Villa win @ 31/10 (bet365)
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.