Just In: Pep and his men arrive Aston Villa as Sky Sports & BBC Sports pundits weigh in squads and give predictions

As Manchester City heads to Villa Park for their clash with Aston Villa, one thing is clear: the Premier League champions have a lot to prove. A run of just one win in their last 11 matches has left Pep Guardiola’s side wobbling, and the reigning champions are desperate to reignite their spark.

Villa, on the other hand, are enjoying life under Unai Emery. Strong performances in both the Premier League and Champions League have bolstered their confidence, making this a daunting challenge for a City side in disarray. Let’s break down what the pundits think.

Chris Sutton is Sitting on the Fence

Chris Sutton, never one to shy away from bold takes, has opted for a 1-1 draw. He acknowledges Villa’s struggles to beat top-half teams but doesn’t see City capitalizing on that weakness. His reasoning? City’s form is abysmal, with basic errors haunting their performances. Still, Sutton believes City’s eventual revival is inevitable—just not this weekend.

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Mark Lawrenson is Betting on the Underdogs

Mark Lawrenson is backing Villa to edge this one 2-1. Pointing to City’s uncharacteristic defensive lapses and their shocking five league defeats before Christmas, he doesn’t see Guardiola’s men recovering their mojo at Villa Park.

Paul Merson is Shocked but Not Surprised:

Paul Merson is done betting on Manchester City. The Sky Sports pundit expects a Villa victory, 2-1, noting City’s ongoing confidence crisis. According to Merson, the cracks were inevitable after years of dominance, and Aston Villa is primed to exploit them.

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Harry Redknapp Has A Glimmer of Hope for City:

While Harry Redknapp doesn’t sugarcoat City’s decline, he’s still cautious about Villa’s defensive frailties. He admits City’s recent form is shocking but sees potential for Guardiola’s side to click—eventually. Whether that happens on Saturday remains a mystery.

The Verdict? 

With pundits split and City’s form raising more questions than answers, this matchup feels like a pivotal moment in the Premier League season. Villa Park is a fortress, but can City’s desperation drive them to defy the odds? Saturday’s showdown promises drama, tension, and maybe even a few surprises.

Prediction: A 2-1 win for Aston Villa looks to be the popular consensus, but can Guardiola’s men silence the doubters? They should. They would.

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