Villa have welcomed back Boubacar Kamara from injury recently and the combative midfielder has immediately reached good form.

Kamara is the link between defence and midfield, and the shield protecting his defensive line out of possession. His role means he is liable to make plenty of fouls.

His foul numbers in matches that he’s started since returning from injury read 1-3-1-0-1-4-0-0.

Diego Carlos is an aggressive, touch tight defender who is likely to foul.

Carlos averages 1.05 fouls per game across all competitions this season.

This leg of the bet builder would have won in 6/9 Premier League matches this season.

Aston Villa have a defensive tactic of prioritising defending their penalty area and allowing shots from mid-long range, such is their trust in Emi Martinez to make fundamental saves.

Villa are 10.44 shots against per game in the Premier League this season with 39.6% hitting the target.

In 16 Premier League matches this season, Martinez has made 3+ saves 9 times. He has also made 3+ saves in 5/6 Champions League matches.

The chances of this leg winning primarily comes down to whether Villa can win a free kick within shooting range.

Digne is 1st on the depth chart for free kick takers. He has taken 7 shots in the Premier League for Villa this season at an average of 0.49 per game – 4 of his shots have come from free kicks.

Villa will likely play with Morgan Rogers and John McGinn as dual 10s. Rogers has been fouled 1.24 times per 90 and McGinn 2.08 times per 90.

Manchester City haven’t won in their last 7 away matches across all competitions.

In the Premier League and Champions League this season, Aston Villa have lost just 1 game at Villa Park.

Villa have avoided defeat against Manchester City in each of the last 2 seasons’ home matches and can continue that streak on Saturday.

Both teams to score has won in 5/8 of Aston Villa home Premier League matches this season.

Both teams to score has landed in 6/8 of Manchester City away Premier League matches this season.

Villa average 1.63 goals per home game and Manchester City average 1.5 goals per away game.

Jhon Duran averages 4.23 shots per 90 in matches across all competitions this season.

In his last 5 appearances his shot numbers read 2-3-3-4-3.

Duran has taken 2+ shots in a game on 14 occasions this season despite averaging just 42.5 minutes per appearance.

In matches where Duran has started he has taken 2+ shots 5/5 times.

Matty Cash plays a hybrid role in Villa’s set up. Tasked with being the furthest forward player on the Villa right hand side whilst also forming a 5 man backline when out of possession. It’s a high energy task and can lead to fouls. Not least because he could find himself up against Jeremy Doku, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden at points during the game – all high foul receivers. In Premier League matches Jeremy Doku has suffered 1.84 fouls per 90, Jack Grealish 2.68 fouls per 90 and Phil Foden 1.68 fouls per 90.

Cash averages 1.18 fouls per 90. His foul numbers this season read 3-0-2-1-1-0-1-2-1-1-1-0.