Seeking a way out of their mid-season malaise, Premier League champions Manchester City will try to revive their ailing title defence on Saturday, when they visit Aston Villa.
Following last week’s dramatic derby defeat, City have lost five of their last seven league games; meanwhile, Villa’s recent revival was halted by a late collapse last time out.
Unai Emery‘s men had previously rallied by winning three consecutive matches – against Brentford and Southampton, then RB Leipzig in the Champions League – but that setback means they have now lost four of their last seven league fixtures.
Nonetheless, they are unbeaten in each of their last seven Premier League games at Villa Park and currently occupy seventh spot, so they can even overtake Manchester City with a home win this weekend.
Like their hosts, Man City were undone during the final throes of their most recent outing, and perhaps in even more jaw-dropping fashion, having thrown away a one-goal lead in the dying embers of last week’s local derby.
More costly errors allowed Manchester United to steal away from the Etihad with maximum points – they have now lost eight of their last 11 matches.
Further betraying their weaknesses, City have now lost two of the last three Premier League games in which they had a half-time lead.
While City have wobbled, Villa are still vulnerable, so both sides would probably settle for a draw – even if neither manager would admit it.
The hosts are harder to beat on home turf and rarely fail to score, so they can extend the champions’ long wait for an away win.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
