It's about the final 6 weeks-2 months of the season where it matters. Even without injuries it comes down to how you handle pressure. The pressure at the business end of the season is different to the first half of the season. I feel even without injuries that if Villa are top 3 round March. They will crumble just like Arsenal did last season.
Issue I have with Manchester is the summer weather. You'll usually get 2 weeks of good consistent heat. Rest of summer will have a mix of rain, odd days where the temperature will drop and the odd warmish day.