Arsenal and Man City Eye Domestic and European Glory

Aston Villa are set to host Manchester City in a Premier League clash, with Villa having beaten City in their past two visits to Villa Park and aiming to extend that run. Manchester City arrive in strong form — seven wins from nine in all competitions — led by Erling Haaland, who has scored 24 goals in 14 appearances this season (11 in eight Premier League games) and is scoring in nearly every away league outing. Pep Guardiola confirmed several fitness doubts ahead of the match, naming Khusanov (foot) as not ready, Gonzalez a late call and Digne doubtful, while Villa’s Tyrone Mings played the full 90 in midweek. Arsenal remain top of the Premier League on the back of an exceptional defence that has conceded just three goals in 12 matches and allowed the fewest big chances and shots on target across Europe’s top five leagues. Both Arsenal and Manchester City have been drawn into challenging 2025/26 Champions League groups — Arsenal facing Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid, and City meeting Real Madrid, Napoli and Borussia Dortmund — and the congested winter schedule will test their domestic and European title bids.