Aston Villa vs Manchester City: betting odds 21 Dec 2024
Aston Villa — Manchester City betting tips 21 Dec 2024
The crisis at Manchester City shows no sign of abating. They continue to drop points in nearly every game. It's surprising they are still in fifth place, with a cluster of teams close behind. Aston Villa, currently seventh, will overtake them with a victory.
Aston Villa had a legitimate defeat against Nottingham Forest, having led 1:0 until the final moments. With just 0.42 xG, they succumbed to a spirited comeback, losing 2:1 in the closing minutes, including injury time. After three consecutive wins, there's some disappointment surrounding the Birmingham side's performance. They previously snatched a win against Leipzig in the Champions League (3:2). At home, they're in form, suffering just one defeat in their last 11 matches, and that was in the League Cup.
Manchester City's play evokes even more mixed feelings. They can dominate Manchester United throughout the first half (0.73–0.12 in xG) yet manage only a slender one-goal lead. However, Manchester United, largely thanks to Amad Diallo’s efforts as both a disruptor and finisher (winning a penalty and scoring the decisive goal), secured a 2:1 victory in the final three minutes of regular time. Manchester City have themselves to blame, especially Matheus Nunes, whose errors on his flank led to the penalty.
The defeat to Manchester United was Manchester City's eighth in the last 11 matches. Confidence in them, particularly away, is waning. They've suffered six losses and earned just one draw in recent trips. They have thrashed Aston Villa in their last three meetings, but that's unlikely this time. At best, they might scrape a draw.