Man City dealt new injury blow amid worst-ever form ahead of Aston Villa trip

Pep Guardiola is on his worst-ever run as a manager heading into this clash, with his side only winning one of their last 11 in all competitions.

An incredible late defeat to rivals Manchester United in the derby last week left the reigning champions nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

And if they were to lose again at Villa Park, they could potentially drop out of the top six altogether, being leapfrogged by Unai Emery's side.

Emery will also be out to regain some proper form, as Villa come into this game off the back of a disappointing loss to Nottingham Forest.

They have been rather inconsistent in recent weeks and if they want to keep up with the top teams in the league, they will have to bounce back.

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Aston Villa vs Man City: Struggling more than ever

If things can get worse for Man City, that would be impressive.

They have just been beaten by their bitter rivals and it seems like an impossible task to defend their Premier League title again this season.

One win in 11 is not good enough and it's form we've not seen from City in a very long time.

Guardiola's side have lost five of their last seven league games which is as many as they lost in their previous 67 games.

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To make matters worse, they have been losing games despite taking the lead, being beaten in two of their last three such matches.

That is as many as their previous 102 fixtures that they took the lead in and they haven't given up a lead to lose three times in a single campaign since 2004.

Aston Villa won this exact fixture 1-0 last season but haven't won consecutive home league meetings with Man City since April 1993.

Only against Newcastle have Manchester City won more Premier League games (31) and scored more Premier League goals (102) than they have against Aston Villa (30 wins, 98 goals).

Aston Villa vs Man City: Predicted line-ups

Villa have the luxury of an almost full squad heading into this game, with only Jacob Ramsey sidelined with an injury.

Leon Bailey is set to return while Tyrone Mings should be back after pulling out of the squad during the warm-up due to illness last time out.

Neither are likely to start though, in a team that will have Emi Martinez in goal as usual.

In front of Martinez will be Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne who all started last weekend.

Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans have formed a strong partnership in midfield, with John McGinn taking up a wider role.

Morgan Rogers is a shoo-in to start and Emery may decide to play both strikers Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins this time around.

He's been rotating the pair more regularly in recent weeks, and with Bailey's fitness issues and Matty Cash looking uncomfortable further up, this may be a solution.

As for City, they've been dealt some more bad injury news with Ruben Dias now set to miss up to the next month of action.

Goalkeeper Ederson is also a doubt and could now join Nathan Ake, Oscar Bobb and Rodri in the treatment room too.

Fortunately, Rico Lewis returns from suspension to provide cover at the back and he will feature in a makeshift defence behind Stefan Ortega.

Kyle Walker will be at right-back, while Josko Gvardiol could be joined by Manuel Akanji at centre-back despite the latter only just returning to training.

John Stones is also returning, but he last played a game in November and could be more of a risk after such limited minutes this season.

In midfield, Mateo Kovacic could come back in to play the Rodri role with Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden in front of him.

Bernardo Silva will likely be on the right and Jack Grealish could be preferred to Jeremy Doku and Savinho against his former club on the left.

Of course, Erling Haaland will lead the line up front.

Man City's Phil Foden has had more shots without scoring than any other player in the Premier League this season (24). Meanwhile, teammate Savinho has accumulated the highest xG of any player yet to score (2.1).

Josko Gvardiol has scored more goals than any other defender in the Premier League this season, while his four goals are the second most of any Manchester City player this term after Erling Haaland (13).

Aston Villa vs Man City: What has been said?

Guardiola revealed Dias' injury in his pre-match press conference.

The Man City boss confirmed: "Ruben is set to be out for a long time."

When asked for more information, he then said: "He's set to be out for three or four weeks.

"He felt something after 75 minutes against United, but he's so brave and carried on. It's a muscular injury."

On his squad's general injury troubles, Guardiola added: "What I want is my players back. I have the same feeling that the squad is really good.

"It's not about good or bad players but I want the players back."

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Manchester City have had more shots than any other side in the Premier League this season (282). However, their shot conversion rate is just 9.9%, their lowest in a single campaign since 2006-07 (6.4%).

Aston Villa have conceded 25 goals in the Premier League this season, from an xG against of 19.5, shipping around five more goals than would be expected (5.5). Only Wolves (40 goals conceded, 27.6 xGA) have a worse such record this term (-12.4).

Aston Villa vs Man City: talkSPORT coverage

This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday, December 21.

Kick-off at Villa Park is scheduled for 12:30pm.

talkSPORT will have EXCLUSIVE live coverage of the game presented by Reshmin Chowdhury.

Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former Chelsea defender Scott Minto.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

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You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

The game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports too.