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
City are struggling to find space in midfield to pass their way forward, so Dias decides to go long this time, spotting Alvarez's run off the back of Carlos. He sets off too early though, and the flag goes straight up.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
It's end-to-end stuff here at the moment as Villa mount their latest attack. Dias does well to get in front of Bailey to stop him from bringing it down, and Stones is there to flick it away from Watkins, who was following in.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
DOUBLE SAVE! Foden wriggles through a small gap before sliding it through to Haaland in the box. He's one-on-one with Martinez, but his shot across goal is parried. Silva clips it back to the Norweigan, who thumps a header on goal from close range, but the keeper gets behind that one too.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
City's last four defeats have all come without Rodri featuring in the game at all. Indeed, they're unbeaten in their last 43 games in which the Spaniard has played (W33 D10).
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
GREAT SAVE! City can't clear their lines from the corner and McGinn takes it off Foden's toe on the edge of the box. He tees up Torres, who stayed onside, and he curls a shot towards the far post, but Ederson gets a strong hand to it.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
SAVE! Villa are well on top in the opening exchanges here, and McGinn curls a superb early cross out to Bailey on the right. He's got acres of space as he takes it into the box, but he can't get any power on the shot, which Ederson gets down to push wide.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
WIDE! McGinn does wonderfully to shake off Lewis and then Stones before poking it out to Digne as Alvarez comes up behind him. The left-back's first touch takes him into space, but he blasts his shot into the side netting.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
Kamara weaves away from Alvarez to set Villa on their way up the pitch and he tries to lift it over the top for Watkins to chase. It's too close to Ederson though, and the keeper comes to collect it.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
Alvarez gets the game under way for City!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
The teams are out on the pitch now, with kick-off just moments away!
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments