Our prediction for this Premier League match:
Man City
Match Time & Date:
03/04/2024
12:15 PM
Prediction: 3-1
Aston Villa
After failing to impress in a goalless draw with Arsenal, Man City will be looking to stay in the title race when they take on Aston Villa in yet another home fixture. The Citizens failed to create a descent goal-scoring opportunity against Mikel Arteta’s troops, but they are still seen as hot favourites to beat the Villans at their Etihad Stadium. Nathan Ake has joined fellow defender Kyle Walker in the recovery room, while first-choice goalkeeper Ederson should be fit to face Villa. John Stones is widely expected to replace Ake in the starting XI.
Unai Emery’s men, on the other hand, did well to beat Wolverhampton 2-0 at the weekend, with the team remaining in the Champions League berth. Man City, though, do not suit Aston Villa and given their 13-game losing run at Etihad Stadium in the Premier League, home win should be considered. John McGinn is banned for the match, while Jacob Ramsey is a major doubt.
Highlighted Player (Mateo Kovacic):
Born to Croatian parents in Linz, Austria, Mateo Kovacic spent seven years in the LASK Linz youth academy before joining Dinamo Zagreb, where he showed a great deal of potential shortly after being promoted to the senior squad.
The good return of 7 goals in 43 league appearances saw him secure a high-profile move to Inter Milan, where he acted as both holding midfielder and attacking midfielder, during the three years at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. And despite not exactly impressing in Italy, Kovacic was purchased by mighty Real Madrid, where he has been ever since. The youngster is widely regarded as one of Croatia’s most talented footballers at the moment and he has represented the country on international stage since the age of 19.
In just three years he managed to make over 25 appearances for the national team, playing at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016 finals for Vatreni. Kovavic has yet to be given a real chance to impress at Real Madrid, but he has entire future ahead of him.
Highlighted Team (Aston Villa):
Aston Villa is one of the three clubs that dropped to the Championship at the end of the 2015/2016 Premier League campaign. The Villans host their rivals at Villa Park, the stadium that was opened in 1897 and its’ capacity is 42,682. However, it has to be noted that the highest attendance recorded at the stadium was 76,588 when Aston Villa faced Derby County in the FA Cup back in 1946.
Aston Villa’s fiercest rivals are Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion. Nonetheless, the rivalry between Aston Villa and Wolves and Coventry City is big as well. Aston Villa have won seven First Division (Premier League) trophies, with the team clinching seven FA Cup trophies as well.
The team’s biggest success, though, came in 1982 when they won the European Cup. The Villans defeated Bayern Munich (1-0) in the title game and Peter Withe was named the man of the match.
Southampton
Liverpool
Ipswich
Manchester United
Napoli
AS Roma
Leganes
Real Madrid
Lazio 
Bologna 
Nice 
Strasbourg 
