How Aston Villa can stop Erling Haaland equalling history in Manchester City clash
Erling Haaland could take a step closer to another record when Manchester City face Aston Villa on Sunday.
Villa are reeling from the Europa League loss to Go Ahead Eagles on 23 October, and the Norwegian striker will be hoping to increase their misery.
The Villa Park contest is vital for Unai Emery's men, they need to cause an upset and show that they can still hang with the biggest teams.
Haaland is in lethal form, though, and it will be a tough ask to stop the former Borussia Dortmund star on 26 October.
Erling Haaland can get closer to Sergio Aguero record vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa failed to score in their opening four Premier League matches, while Haaland already had five after the same number of games.
He has since scored another six, taking his tally to 11 for the season already, a remarkable amount after just eight games, with a conversion rate of 32 per cent, per Sofascore.
However, he will be chasing another record when he takes to the pitch on Sunday, one that is currently held by Sergio Aguero.
The Argentine forward scored in seven consecutive away matches for the Citizens between March and August 2017, and Haaland is on five at the moment.
If the Villans stop the 25-year-old from scoring against them though, he will not be able to equal the record, never mind break it.
Haaland's record against Villa provides encouragement
Haaland has lost more times against the Villans than he has won, with four matches played, only one win, two losses and one draw.
He has only managed to get on the scoresheet against the B6 outfit on one occasion, in the 1-1 draw at Villa Park in the 2022-23 season, when Steven Gerrard was still in charge.
He did manage an assist in a 3-1 home win in the same campaign, but he does not boast a formidable history against Emery's side.
However, this is a version of the former Red Bull Salzburg man that looks unstoppable, and the hosts need to be on top form to stop him when the sides meet once again
Unai Emery needs his defenders, in particular, to stay strong and not be bullied by the City star as he has done to so many top-flight backlines already.
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