Overview
Manchester City expect Erling Haaland to continue his impressive scoring form when they visit a thriving Aston Villa.
The Norwegian striker is in destructive form, scoring in 12 consecutive matches for both club and national team. Haaland continued to score in the 2-0 victory over Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
Haaland's explosive form has helped Pep Guardiola's team climb to second place in the rankings, only 3 points behind leaders Arsenal.
Notably, Haaland has scored in each of his last five away games in the Premier League, including the win over Fulham in the final round of last season. In Man City's history, only Sergio Aguero has scored a longer streak, with 7 consecutive away matches from March to August 2017.
This season, Haaland has scored 5 out of 7 away goals for Man City, when he conceded to Wolves, Brighton, Arsenal and Brentford respectively.
He is now on track for a historic milestone - equal to Thierry Henry 2001-2002, Arsenal), Mohamed Salah (2021-2022, Liverpool) and Jarrod Bowen (2023-2024, West Ham - players who have scored in each of the team's first five away games in a Premier League season.
Despite Haaland's destructive scoring form, Man City are also showing significant progress in defense. Pep Guardiola's side have kept more clean sheets than any other Premier League side (12 games) since a 5-1 defeat to Arsenal in February last year. In particular, new signing Gianluigi Donnarumma is taking on the role of goalkeeper to replace Ederson this season.
Only Arsenal can average the number of goals conceded per game per game in the same period with Man City (both have conceded 15 goals in 22 matches, an average of 0.68 goals/match). This solid defensive system has contributed to maintaining the impressive form of the blue team since the end of last season.
City have won more points than any other Premier League side since the start of April (39 points - 12 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses), conceding just the opening goal in two games during that time. They have also opened the scoring in the last 6 matches, Guardiola's best streak of results since a streak of 8 consecutive wins lasting from April to August 2024.
However, Aston Villa are certainly still a challenge that is not easy to overcome. Their run of five consecutive wins in all competitions has been halted after a 1-2 defeat to Go Ahead Eagles in the UEFA Europa League.
In that match, Evann Guessand opened the scoring early for the away team, but the Dutch representative scored 2 goals in a row to turn the tide, before Emiliano Buendia missed the opportunity to equalize on the penalty spot.
Aston Villa are showing strong signs of revival. They have won all 3 of their most recent matches in the Premier League, after a series of 5 opening matches without a win (3 draws, 2 losses) in the 2025-2026 season. In the history of the tournament, only Preston North End in the 1937/2030 season had a similar poor start - not winning the first 5 matches but then winning 4 consecutive matches.
Head-to-head record
Aston Villa have an impressive head-to-head record against Man City at home. Unai Emery's side have won both of their most recent visits to Man City at Villa Park.
If they continue their story, they will repeat the feat of a series of 3 consecutive home wins against City - something that has not happened since 1960-1925.
In the encounter last season, Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers were the goalscorers to help Villa win 2-1, while Phil Foden only managed to score an honorary goal late for the away team in extra time.
However, Man City is still the overwhelming team in terms of head-to-head record. They have won 31 and scored 101 goals against Villa in the Premier League - only behind the 32 wins and 106 goals against Newcastle in the history of the tournament.
Score prediction: Aston Villa 1-3 Man City
The match between Aston Villa and Man City takes place at 9:00 p.m. on October 26 (Vietnam time).
