Man City vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League result and final score as De Bruyne scores brilliant winner

Follow the reaction as City moved 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League table thanks to a 1-0 win over Chelsea

Kevin De Bruyne scores a wonderful curling finish (Manchester City FC via Getty Ima)

Follow live reaction after Manchester City increased their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 13 points as Kevin De Bruyne’s sublime strike earned the defending champions a 1-0 win over second-placed Chelsea.

De Bruyne curled an excellent strike past Kepa Arrizabalaga from outside of the box in the 70th minute to hand the hosts a victory they thoroughly deserved after a commanding performance against the European champions.

City dominated possession in the first half but Jack Grealish was denied an opening goal when Kepa blocked his shot with an outstretched leg. Romelu Lukaku, who had a poor game for the visitors, went close after the break but saw a curling effort saved by Ederson.

Chelsea continued to struggle to create chances, despite the introduction of Mason Mount and Timo Werner from the bench, and the defeat is a significant blow to their hopes of challenging for the title.

Follow all the reaction to Man City vs Chelsea below:

Man City vs Chelsea

• 70 min: Kevin De Bruyne scores wonderful solo goal

[15 January 2022 16:40 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa vs Man Utd: Head-to-head

Aston Villa won the reverse league fixture 1-0 and could do the double against Manchester United for the first time since the 1954-5 season. However, Villa’s current winless run of 22 Premier League home games against United is a top-flight record - they’ve drawn seven times and lost 15.

Villa’s most recent home league victory in this fixture was 3-1 in August 199 but they also won 3-0 here in the League Cup in 1999.

Manchester United were awarded a penalty in each of the last four Premier League meetings. Bruno Fernandes took all four, scoring the first three but missing at Old Trafford last September.

[15 January 2022 16:36 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa vs Man Utd: Team changes

Lucas Digne makes his debut for Aston Villa replaing Matt targett at left-back in the only change for Steven Gerrard’s men. Ollie Watkins, Danny Ings and Emiliano Buendia make up the forward line and Philippe Coutinho settles for a spot on the bench.

Cristiano Ronaldo is once again missing for Manchester United although, Phil Jones, Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho make the bench. Ralf Rangnick makes three changes to the team that lined-up against Villa on Monday night. Alex Telles is in for the suspended Luke Shaw, Nemanja Matic replaces Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford is dropped for Anthony Elanga.

[15 January 2022 16:30 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa vs Man Utd: Line-ups

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Sanson, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey, Buendia, Ings, Watkins

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Varane, Telles, Matic, Fred, Elanga, Fernandes, Greenwood, Cavani

[15 January 2022 16:29 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa vs Man Utd: Recent results

Aston Villa can potentially jump up to 10th in the Premier League table if they comfortably beat Manchester United at Villa Park. Steven Gerrard’s men have lost their last three games across all competitions and will be looking to get back to winning ways today.

Manchester United are in need of points if they want to challenge for a top four finish. Last time out in the Premier League they were outplayed at home by Wolves who beat them 1-0 thanks to a late goal scored by Joao Moutinho. It remains United’s only defeat under Ralf Rangnick who keeps finding ways to pick up points despite lacklustre performance’s from his team.

[15 January 2022 16:23 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa vs Man Utd: Rangnick not worried about Rashford’s form

Marcus Rashford is struggling for form having only netted twice in the Premier League this season. He looked short of confidence against Aston Villa on Monday night but Man Utd’s interim boss isn’t too worried about the striker’s form saying:

As a striker we all know that it’s all about playing well scoring goals and getting assists. If that does not happen over a period of time, it is sometimes not easy. But he is trying to give his very best and he does show that in training.

“There have been a couple of training sessions over the past few weeks when he has performed at the highest level and that is why I have always given him the chance to play again.

“As long as he does that, he will always make my list to be involved within the starting XI. Of course, it’s about showing that on a regular basis and continuously playing at a high level. For him though, like anyone else, there is still room for improvement.”

[15 January 2022 16:18 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa vs Man Utd: Gerrard on playing United twice in a week

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard spoke about the unusual coincidence of facing Manchester United twice in the same week after their FA Cup meeting on Monday night.

Gerrard’s Villa were the better team on the night but were on the wrong side of the results. Scott McTominay sent United in front but Villa responded well, they had two goals disallowed and Gerrard said:

It’s a unique situation, playing the same team twice in a short space of time, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to bounce back.

“If we can find a similar level of performance, be a little bit more ruthless in the final third and the big calls on the night go in our favour, I’ve got no doubt we can get the result we want.”

[15 January 2022 16:14 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa vs Man Utd: Manchester United welcome back four players for Aston Villa trip

Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be available for Manchester United, with Harry Maguire also in contention to play in Saturday’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa.

The Portuguese was left out of Monday night’s FA Cup tie with Villa as a precaution, with Jadon Sancho and Phil Jones also kept at home after picking up minor issues of their own.

[15 January 2022 16:11 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa vs Man Utd: Injuries and absentees

Aston Villa will be missing the experience of Ashley Young and John McGinn for this evening’s match with Manchester United. Young has a broken toe and McGinn is banned.

The exciting prospect for Villa is whether Steven Gerrard gives debuts to new signings Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne but it may be too early for either player to start.

Manchester United also have tow players suspended with Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay missing. There is some doubt over Cristiano Ronaldo who missed Monday night’s cup fixture but he’s believes he will be fit for the game

Ralf Rangnick also confirmed that Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, and Jadon Sancho could all return to the squad after spells on the sidelines.

[15 January 2022 16:07 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa vs Man Utd

We’re over halfway through the 3pm kick offs and there are a few surprises. Chris Wood has made his debut for Newcastle but their match against Watford remains goalless.

Norwich have a shocking two goal lead over Everton at Carrow Road and look set to pick up their first Premier League win since November and in a close contest at Molineux Wolves have a 1-0 lead over Southampton thanks to a Raul Jimenez penalty.

There’s one more Premier League game to go today though as Aston Villa welcome Manchester United for the 5.30pm kick off. Man Utd managed to sneak past Steven Gerrard’s Villa in the FA Cup third round on Monday but they were the second best team for most of the game.

At home, and with new additions in the form of Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne, Aston Villa will be confident of securing a positive result against Ralf Rangnick’s side.

[15 January 2022 15:02 · Michael Jones]

Kevin De Bruyne’s sublime winner sinks Chelsea as Man City close in on another title

A goal fit to win any match, and that has almost certainly won the 2021-22 Premier League title.

Kevin De Bruyne’s sublime strike was a moment that suitably reflected Manchester City’s superiority, putting the defending champions 13 points clear of Chelsea after this 1-0 victory.

As if to similarly emphasise how some of that lead has been down to rivals’ own failings, Kepa Arrizabalaga might have done better for the goal.

That shouldn’t be to take away from De Bruyne’s strike, or City’s quality. As with the huge gap at the top of the table, and despite the narrow victory, they were so much better than Chelsea.