Villa Park stages an early-season test of two sides travelling in rather different lanes but with the same momentum. Aston Villa welcome Manchester City in the eighth round of the Premier League at 13:30, with Unai Emery’s side finding their stride and Enzo Maresca’s leaders yet to surrender a point.
Why it landed this week
- Aston Villa
- Manchester City
- Unai Emery
- Enzo Maresca
- Erling Haaland
- Phil Foden
Villa’s season did not begin smoothly, but the recent picture is considerably brighter. Emery’s team arrive on a run of five wins and one draw in all competitions, a sequence which has steadied the league campaign and pulled them towards the European places.
There has been no hesitation in Europe either. Villa have taken all nine points available from their opening three Champions League matches, while their domestic return has brought two victories and a draw. For a side which had been looking for rhythm, the gears appear finally to be engaging.
City, though, come to Birmingham with an even cleaner record. Maresca has overseen seven wins from seven at the start of this Premier League season, setting a club record for a new manager’s opening league run. They remain top of the table, still with a perfect points total to protect.
There is one significant question around the visitors. Erling Haaland missed City’s most recent Champions League match, leaving his fitness under scrutiny ahead of the trip to Villa Park.
Phil Foden offers another encouraging note for City. He struck a hat-trick against AEK and heads into the weekend with his form sharpened, just as the champions face opponents who have rediscovered the confidence to make a proper contest of it.
The next fixture
Aston Villa face Manchester City at Villa Park at 13:30 in the eighth round of the Premier League.
