Aston Villa vs Manchester City: Premier League Preview

When is Aston Villa vs Manchester City and where can you follow it?

Aston Villa vs Manchester City kicks off at 13:30 SAST on Saturday, 24 October 2026, at Villa Park in Birmingham. That is 12:30 in the UK, and Peter Bankes is the referee, according to our fixture data.

After this result, Villa face Barcelona in Europe; see our Barcelona vs Aston Villa preview for how the two sides compare.

City’s next league game is covered in our Manchester City vs Brighton preview.

It is the first game of the Premier League Saturday, so it makes an early start for fans in South Africa. Follow the action on our live scores page, and see the Premier League predictions hub for the rest of the round.

What is at stake for Aston Villa and Manchester City?

Manchester City can extend their lead at the top, while Aston Villa want to move up from 12th. City have 21 points from seven wins, and Villa have eight points from seven games. Villa’s following home game is previewed in our Aston Villa vs Fulham preview.

City have scored 19 goals and conceded seven, which gives them a goal difference of plus 12. Villa have won two, drawn two and lost three, with seven goals scored and 11 conceded. As a result, the gap between the sides is 13 points.

A City win would take them to 24 points. A Villa win would lift them to 11, above Brentford, Leeds and Everton on 10 on the current table. A draw would leave City on 22 and Villa on nine.

How have Aston Villa played this season?

Aston Villa have won their last three competitive games, and they head into this match with a busy schedule. They beat Viking 3-1 in the Champions League on 21 October, won 1-0 at Newcastle on 17 October and thrashed Fenerbahce 6-0 in the Champions League on 14 October.

Before those wins, Villa drew 2-2 at home with Brentford on 10 October and won 3-2 at Tottenham on 19 September. For more on the Newcastle game, read our Newcastle vs Aston Villa preview.

However, the league table is less kind. Villa have won only two league games, and they have not won a league game at Villa Park this season, with one draw and two defeats from three home matches.

How have Manchester City played this season?

Manchester City have won all seven of their Premier League games, and their only recent defeat came in Europe. They lost 4-2 at home to Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League on 14 October, then bounced back with a 5-1 win over AEK Athens on 20 October.

In the league, City beat Ipswich 3-2 at home on 17 October and won 3-0 at Liverpool on 11 October. Our Manchester City vs Ipswich match report covers the Ipswich game, while our Liverpool vs Manchester City preview looks back at the Anfield win.

City also beat Sunderland 5-3 on 20 September, so they let in five goals across the Ipswich and Sunderland games. Even so, they have scored in every league match, and they have three league clean sheets.

What do the home and away records show?

Villa are stronger away from home than at Villa Park this season, but City have been excellent in both places. Villa have won two, drawn one and lost one on the road, while City have won four from four at home and three from three away.

That makes this match a test of Villa’s home form. They have scored only one league goal per home game on average, and they have kept no clean sheet at Villa Park in the league.

In contrast, City average 2.8 goals per game at home and 2.7 on the road, according to our team statistics. Therefore, Villa will need a strong defensive display to stay in the match.

What is the head-to-head history between Aston Villa and Manchester City?

Aston Villa have won three of the last five Premier League meetings with Manchester City, including the last two. They won 2-1 away at City on 24 May 2026 and 1-0 at home on 26 October 2025.

City won the other two, 2-1 on 22 April 2025 and 4-1 on 3 April 2024. Villa also won 2-1 at Villa Park on 21 December 2024.

In fact, the last three league meetings at Villa Park all ended in Villa wins, after a 1-1 draw in September 2022. That record gives the hosts some belief, even against the league leaders.

What is the team news for Aston Villa vs Manchester City?

Both clubs have injury problems. Aston Villa are without Onana (knee), Ruggeri (muscle) and Wan-Bissaka (muscle), according to our injury feed, and Manzambi (calf) is listed as doubtful.

Manchester City are missing Semenyo (knee). Kovacic (injury), Nunes (knock) and O’Reilly (back) are doubtful.

Injury news can change before kick-off, so check the clubs’ official channels for the confirmed line-ups. Teams are normally named about an hour before the game.

What should you watch for in Aston Villa vs Manchester City?

Watch the second half. Villa have conceded seven of their 11 league goals in two spells, three between the 46th and 60th minutes and four between the 76th and 90th.

City have scored five goals in the 46th to 60th minute and five more between the 76th and 90th, according to our goal-timing data. Meanwhile, Villa’s goals are spread across the game rather than coming in one spell, so they can score at any stage.

Also look at fatigue. Villa played in Europe on Wednesday and City played on Tuesday, so squad rotation could matter on the day.

What comes next for both clubs?

Villa travel to Bournemouth on 28 October and then host Fulham on 31 October. Manchester City host Brighton on 28 October.

Check back after the final whistle for our match report, and use the live scores page to follow the result as it happens.

Frequently asked questions

For Villa’s latest league fixture, read our Manchester United vs Aston Villa preview.