Pundits agree on Manchester City prediction ahead of Aston Villa clash

direct to your inboxManchester City will have to cope without Kevin De Bruyne for the next month or so as they challenge for honours on all fronts.De Bruyne has been ruled out for between four and six weeks due to a hamstring injury he suffered during the victory over Aston Villa. It is a significant blow for City, just as their campaign is gathering some momentum.

direct to your inboxAnother midweek round of Premier League fixtures has almost been competed, and we have seen yet more changes at the top of the table.Leicester City’s win over Chelsea on Tuesday temporarily moved them to the summit, before Manchester City leapfrogged them with a controversial victory over Aston Villa.Then the league’s top position changed hands again after Manchester United came from behind to beat Fulham at Craven Cottage.Last season’s champions Liverpool are in action this

direct to your inboxPep Guardiola says Manchester City will experience bad moments in their quest to win the Premier League this season.Guardiola saw City move above Liverpool into second place after beating Crystal Palace on Sunday, and two points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand over both.

straight to your inbox every day for freeMatic back?Nemanja Matic's renaissance last year started with his half-time introduction in the semi-final first leg against City. Matic plugged the gaps, scored the winner in the second leg and performed in the Old Trafford league triumph in March.The 32-year-old neutered Wolves winger Adama Traore and was an upgrade on a sloppy Scott McTominay against Aston Villa.

straight to your inbox every day for freeOle Gunnar Solskjaer revelled in Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp's complaints about the number of penalties Manchester United have been awarded this season.Klopp was seething after Sadio Mane was denied a spotkick in Liverpool's 1-0 defeat at Southampton on Monday night and United are level on points with the Premier League champions thanks to Bruno Fernandes's winning penalty against Aston Villa.Since the Video Assistant Referee was introduced in the

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United fans have slammed Richard Keys and Andy Gray for their analysis of the win against Aston Villa.United continued their title charge with a crucial win against Dean Smith's side, moving level on points with league leaders Liverpool with a game in-hand thanks to Bruno Fernandes' penalty.Paul Pogba was adjudged to have been fouled in the area by former Manchester City midfielder Douglas Luiz much to the Brazilian's dismay.

straight to your inbox every day for freeOle Gunnar Solskjaer has been praised for his management of Bruno Fernandes.The midfielder netted his 11th Premier League goal of the season in United's 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Friday night, scoring from the penalty spot shortly after Bertrand Traore had equalised for the visitors.Fernandes has been a revelation since moving from Sporting Lisbon in last January, although he made a rare mistake in the Reds' 2-2 draw with Leicester City on Boxing Day as

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has told his Manchester City players not to look too closely at a Premier League table that has rivals Manchester United as joint leaders.United moved level with Liverpool on New Year's Day by beating Aston Villa, with City seven points behind the pair albeit with two games in hand.Speaking ahead of City's trip to face Chelsea, Guardiola said he is not surprised to see a club of United's stature back at the top of the table, but warned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's

straight to your inbox every day for freeAndy Cole has hailed four Manchester United players following the 2-1 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford.The former United striker was on punditry duties for Sky Sports during the clash and heaped praise on the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial after the contest.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men moved up to second in the Premier League level on points with Liverpool thanks to goals from Martial and Fernandes, who

straight to your inbox every day for freePaul Pogba has been accused of telling team-mate Luke Shaw to dive during Manchester United's Premier League victory over Aston Villa. Pogba played a key role as United beat Villa 2-1 at Old Trafford on New Year's Day, winning the penalty that Bruno Fernandes converted to clinch the points.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United are second in the Premier League and it's a reason to celebrate for Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville - or at least wind up Liverpool fans that is.Since losing to Arsenal in the top tier last November, the Reds have won eight and drawn two league matches to jump up to second - behind leaders Liverpool on only goal difference.The latest success for United came at home to Aston Villa on Friday evening as three points were secured again thanks

straight to your inboxMichael Owen has dismissed Manchester United's title credentials and believes Manchester City remain a bigger threat to Liverpool.United moved level on points with the Reds at the top of the Premier League table on Friday night following a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.

straight to your inbox every day for freeSky Sports pundits Andy Cole and Darren Bent agree that Manchester United deserved to win the key penalty in the win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

straight to your inbox every day for free Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz has slammed the decision to award Manchester United a second-half penalty in their win on New Year's Day. United moved level on points with Liverpool in the Premier League after a hard-fought 2-1 win at Old Trafford.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United moved joint-top of the Premier League table after beating Aston Villa 2-1 at Old Trafford on Friday night.Bruno Fernandes ' second-half penalty made the difference after Paul Pogba was fouled in the area shortly after Villa pulled level. The victory puts United level with Liverpool for at least 72 hours after joining the reigning champions on 33 points ahead of the two sides meeting at Anfield on January 17.

straight to your inbox every day for freeOle Gunnar Solskjaer was 'delighted' with Paul Pogba's performance in Manchester United's vital Premier League win over Aston Villa.Solskjaer retained Pogba, 27, in his side and recalled fellow midfielders Scott McTominay and Fred, pushing Pogba to the left flank in a 4-2-3-1 formation.Pogba flourished in arguably his standout performance of the season but he is angling for a move away from United in the summer transfer window.Despite Pogba supporting his

straight to your inbox every day for freeDavid de GeaSaved well from John McGinn at 0-0 and commanded his area well. Made another save in the second-half.

straight to your inbox every day for free Aaron Wan-Bissaka praised Paul Pogba and Eric Bailly for their performances against Aston Villa. The Manchester United duo led by example as their side dug deep to secure a vital 2-1 win at Old Trafford on New Year's Day.