: Manchester City struggled without a natural defensive midfielder, leading to a tactical "masterclass" from Unai Emery's side.
In their most recent Premier League meeting on , Aston Villa secured a 1-0 victory at home. Manchester City - Aston Villa
The rivalry between and Aston Villa is currently defined by Villa's emergence as a "bogey team" for the reigning champions at Villa Park. While City has historically dominated this fixture, they have now lost on their last three visits to the West Midlands. Recent Match & Form : Manchester City struggled without a natural defensive