We simulated Aston Villa vs Man City to predict Premier League clash as unlikely hero emerged

Manchester City face an in-form Aston Villa in the Premier League tonight, so we simulated the clash to predict if City could get back to winning ways

After going three Premier League games without a win, Manchester City will be keen for three points when they make the tough trip to Aston Villa this evening.

Man City have found their last few Premier League outings difficult, with Pep Guardiola's side drawing their last three league matches, albeit it against heavyweights Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham. Next up for City is another tough fixture, with Guardiola's side travelling to the West Midlands to take on high-flyers Aston Villa, where a victory for the hosts would take them above City in the table.

The last time Villa lost at home in the Premier League was back in February, with Unai Emery making Villa Park a fortress since his arrival. City were handed a big blow in the draw against Tottenham on the weekend, with both Jack Grealish and Rodri picking up yellow cards meaning they will both be suspended from tonight's clash. So, could City come out on top tonight? Let's take a look.

READ MORE: Every word Pep Guardiola said on Aston Villa, FA charge and Kalvin Phillips

READ MORE: Man City injury and suspension news ahead of Aston Villa

We simulated Aston Villa vs Man City to get a score prediction

To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 24 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions. We predict that Villa could line up in a 4-4-2 formation, with their line-up as follows: Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Cash, Kamara, Luiz, McGinn; Diaby, Watkins.

We predict that City could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Ake; Stones, Alvarez, Bernardo; Foden, Haaland, Doku.

Manchester City started on the front foot, but the hosts looked dangerous on the break, with City's high line suiting their style of play as Moussa Diaby caused trouble for Guardiola's defence. The visitors saw most of the possession in the first half, and their pressure paid off in the 40th minute when an unlikely goalscorer put City in front.

With City camping around the Villa box, Kyle Walker was playing higher than Phil Foden at times down the right. As the ball reached Foden, the Englishman flicked a lovely pass into the path of Walker and from a narrow-angle the defender fired home to make it 1-0.

City looked to be heading into the break with the lead but just minutes later, Villa found an equaliser when Ollie Watkins flicked on a long ball into the path of Diaby who rounded Ederson and tapped into an empty net. With the score level, the second half was a tense affair but in the 72nd minute City regained the lead through another Walker goal.

After John Stones twisted past two challenges in midfield, City hit the hosts on the break, with Guardiola's side in a six versus four situation. Walker was left unmarked as the defender charged forward through the middle, and he latched onto Stones' through ball before drilling a fantastic strike into the far corner for his and City's second of the afternoon.

Behind, Villa threw everything at City in the final 15 minutes, and they almost found an equaliser when Diego Carlos rattled the crossbar from a corner. Guardiola's side held on though as they ended their winless run and picked up a vital three points in their hunt for the Premier League title.

EA FC 24 predicted final score: Aston Villa 1-2 Man City

What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments!