Paul Merson disagrees with pundits on Man City vs Aston Villa score predictions

Manchester City travel to Villa Park to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.

Manchester City will be determined to halt their three-game winless run in the Premier League when they lock horns with Aston Villa at Villa Park this evening.

City, who are unbeaten in each of their last 15 meetings with the Midlands outfit, drew for the third league game running on Sunday, equally sharing six goals with Tottenham Hotspur in a pulsating contest at the Etihad Stadium. The stalemate left City in third, one point ahead of fourth-placed Villa.

With both Arsenal and Liverpool having won prior to City taking to the field over the weekend, Pep Guardiola's side lost a small amount of ground in the title race, meaning they need to produce a response at Villa Park. However, Villa have been relentless at home this calendar year, winning each of their last 13 league games on their own patch.

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With that said, how do the pundits think City's encounter with Unai Emery's side will go? MEN Sport has had a close look.

Chris Sutton - BBC Sport

"It has been surprising to see City conceding so many goals recently - they have shipped 10 in their past four games - and I do think Villa will score here, but I'd still back Guardiola's side to score more," Sutton told BBC Sport. "It's a blow for City to be without suspended duo Rodri and Jack Grealish, but I am certainly not going to start doubting them.

"They might be playing with a bit of anger after feeling wronged by the decision not to let them play an advantage right at the end of Sunday's draw with Tottenham, even if I do think too much was made out of that incident. The referee was wrong to stop play, but I think the Spurs defence would have caught Grealish anyway."

Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 City.

Paul Merson - Sportskeeda

Merson, penning his prediction for Sportskeeda, said: "What a game. I expect Arsenal to beat Luton, and they could go six points clear at the top of the Premier League table before this game kicks-off.

"This is a massive game for City, and it could define their season. City are going to the hardest place you can visit in the Premier League at the moment.

"Aston Villa have a brilliant record at home. How many times have City been in front this season before giving away a lead?

"They were relentless last season - if their opponents fell behind, City used to drain the life out of them. They're struggling to close out their games at the moment, and it's a worry for them."

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-2 City.

Mark Lawrenson - Paddy Power

"Rodri and Grealish are suspended for City but they've got great depth," Lawrenson told Paddy Power. "I'll go for City to just about win this 2-1, even accounting for Villa's great home form and their great manager, Unai Emery.

"They'll just keep the ball and Villa's high line might be exposed."

Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 City.

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