Aston Villa vs Man City LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Leon Bailey nets crucial winner
Aston Villa 1-0 Man City: Unai Emery’s men clinched a close encounter at Villa Park
Aston Villa take on Manchester City in a clash between two sides nearing the top of the Premier League table. Villa have won nine of their 14 league matches under Unai Emery this season and could jump ahead of City if they beat them at Villa Park tonight.
Forward Ollie Watkins has been in great touch scoring eight goals and the hosts will need his clinical touch if they are going to take points away from Pep Guardiola’s side.
Manchester City in contrast are going through something of a slump. A 3-3 draw against Tottenham was their third stalemate in a row meaning City are six points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Three points are a must for the reigning champions if they want to keep up the apce with the Gunners.
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
The City fans find their voice again to urge their team upfield. Nunes listens to them, lifting a good cross towards Gvardiol at the far post, but his first touch takes the ball straight out of play.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
City haven't managed a single shot in this game since Martinez was forced into a double save to deny Haaland in the 11th minute. The Norweigan has struggled as well, having only 12 touches so far.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
And Kovacic is also coming on in place of Alvarez.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
Guardiola has seen enough and is bringing on two midfielders in an attempt to give them a bit more control in the middle of the park. Lewis is the first to go off, with Nunes replacing him.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
The Villa fans are on their feet and the volume inside the stadium is rising as Bailey wins another corner with a deflected shot. The delivery is poor by Luiz this time, but the visitors lose possession quickly again.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
Villa are starting to find their rhythm again, and it's forcing City back deeper into their own box. Kamara spins away from Lewis so he can switch it out to Digne, who squares it to McGinn, but his cross clears everyone.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
WIDE! Silva's first-time pass is loose as he plays out from the back and it's cut out by Watkins. He touches it through to McGinn, who sees the space open up in front of him. Ederson rushes out, so he curls it towards goal early, but it rolls agonisingly wide of the far post.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
Luiz whips a good delivery in from the corner and it bounces awkwardly in front of Watkins, meaning he doesn't hit the volley cleanly. Every City attempt at a clearance loops up into the air, keeping the pressure on until Dias hooks it away.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
Yellow Card Oliver George Arthur Watkins
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
Bailey gets too tight to Gvardiol, giving away a free-kick in a good position on the left. Silva swings a tempting cross into the six-yard box, but none of his team-mates get on the end of it.
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