Aguero to Miss Villa clash not good to go yet declares Pep

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that striker Sergio Aguero will miss today’s match against Aston Villa as the Argentine is still self-isolating.

City’s record goalscorer has missed City’s last three games after being told to isolate as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

Dean Smith admits Aston Villa were taken aback by the speed of the coronavirus outbreak at the club. Nine players and five staff tested positive for Covid-19 and the club’s Bodymoor Heath training ground was closed.

It is unclear how strong a side Villa will be but Guardiola is working on the assumption they will be at full strength. Striker Wesley (knee) remains a long-term absentee but Ross Barkley could be set to return following a thigh injury.

Aston Villa continue to be underestimated even in this game, and their performance data puts them right in the mix for a top-six finish. In fact, looking at expected goals, both offensively and defensively, it ranks them down as the league’s fourth-best team.

Manchester City have won 14 of their last 15 Premier League home games against Aston Villa including each of the last 10 in a row.

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Since a 3-2 Premier League victory at Villa Park in September 2013, Aston Villa are winless in their last nine meetings with Man City in all competitions.

Man City have won their last 10 Premier League matches played on Wednesday, the second-longest run of victories on this day of the week in the competition after Tottenham, 11 wins between December 2016 and January 2019.