Premier League: Manchester City v Aston Villa Odds and Betting Preview

MANCHESTER, UK – Manchester City host Aston Villa on Saturday in their eagerly anticipated Premier League clash at the Ethiad Stadium. Both sides are unbeaten in their first seven league games – a record only Manchester United and Newcastle can also boast – and will be eager to extend this record on Saturday. Aston Villa undoubtedly face the bigger challenge, however, and will have to fight tooth and nail to contain Roberto Mancini's side, who are currently eight points clear of them in the table.

Manchester City will be playing in front of a home crowd, and start the match as 4/11 (bet £11 to make £4) favourites with Bet365. Aston Villa, on the other hand, can be backed at best odds of 9/1 with Coral, whilst the draw is on offer at 4/1 with Victor Chandler.

Manchester City have had a fantastic start to the season, winning six of their seven Premier League fixtures so far. Mancini's men have been ruthless in front of goal, scoring 23 times in seven games and accumulating a colossal goal difference of 18. More recently, however, there have been long shadows cast over this bright start by the ill-discipline of Argentine star Carlos Tevez. Tevez refused to take to the field as substitute against Bayern Munich at the end of September, and is now facing firm disciplinary proceedings. City supporters will hope they can put this ugly incident to the backs of their minds with a win against Villa on Saturday.

Aston Villa may not have lost in the Premier League, but there season has been a somewhat frustrating one nonetheless. Alex McLeish's side have become the kings of the league draw, having gained only one point in four of their last five fixtures. Villa beat Wigan 2-0 in their last encounter, and will hope that the result marks a change in their fortunes. With the return of Gabriel Agbonlahor up front, Villa will feel that they can be more threatening in attack. Manchester City, however, will be an incredibly tough side to beat.

In the over/under betting the top price on over 2.5 goals being scored is 8/13 with Boylesports, whilst under 2.5 goals can be backed at 11/8 with Blue Square. The bookmakers are clearly not anticipating a bore draw, and punters can back under 2.5 goals at odds as long as 14/1 with Stan James.

Summer signing Sergio Aguero has been astonishing for City so far this season, notching up a tally of eight league goals already. Aguero is joint favourite to score first on Saturday with team mate Edin Dzeko, and both are available at best odds of 7/2 with Ladbrokes. Italian wonderkid Mario Ballotelli is also deemed likely to open the scoring at 5/1 with Bet365, whilst Aston Villa's deadliest player is thought to be Darren Bent, who can be backed to break the deadlock at 9/1 with Skybet.

City are quoted at best odds of 10/11 with Boylesports to win the match after leading at half time, whilst draw/City is on offer at a top price of 7/2 with Ladbrokes. Draw/Villa can be backed at a longer 20/1 with Boylesports, whilst those punters who think that Villa will fight back to win the game after trailing at the interval can back City/Villa at odds as long as 80/1 with Paddy Power.

Kick off is at 15.00 BST

Manchester City v Aston Villa Betting