Follow Mail Sport’s live blog of the Premier League fixture between Aston Villa and Manchester City for the latest team news, live score and updates.
13:36, 47′
YELLOW CARD: Aston Villa 1-0 Man City (Lewis 47′)
By Tum Balogun
13:35, 45′
SECOND-HALF: Aston Villa 1-0 Man City
By Tum Balogun
John Stones has lasted just 45 minutes on his return to the side. Pep Guardiola was in deep conversation with his players in the tunnel before coming out onto the pitch.
It goes without saying – but I’ll say it anyway – it’s a massive 45 minutes.
Kyle Walker comes on for his England team-mate. Villa get the second-half underway at Villa Park
13:32
‘There’s an inherent risk to playing so close to your own goal’
By Tom Collomosse At Villa Park
Villa have been effective on the counter but there’s an inherent risk to playing so close to your own goal. Yes, City are struggling for form and confidence, but they still have talented players capable of changing the game.
Examples: Grealish’s sublime chip that Gvardiol should have headed in; Foden’s wriggle and shot that Martinez did well to divert.
13:31
More on those feisty scenes at the break
By Tum Balogun
Grealish and Martinez could be seen continuing their dialogue as both sets of players went down the tunnel at the break.
The former Villa skipper has been at the centre of almost all the drama so far. I know I keep saying it, but this has Grealish winner written all over it today.
13:28
HALF-TIME STATS: Aston Villa 1-0 Man City
By Tum Balogun
More of the ball, more touches in their opponent’s box and even higher expected goals. But City are behind and it’s a worrying trend. Only Wolves, Leicester and Southampton have conceded the first goal in Premier League matches this season and that’s not the company you want to keep.
13:21
‘Emi Martinez booked after appearing to shove Grealish’
By Tom Collomosse At Villa Park
Emi Martinez booked after the half-time whistle. Appeared to shove Grealish, who was ranting art the referee. It’s still going on as they head down the tunnel.
An official steps between them but it’s still going on as they walk towards the dressing rooms. These two were Villa team-mates in the 2020-21 season.
13:18
HALF-TIME: Aston Villa 1-0 Man City
By Tum Balogun
Oooh, there are few tasty scenes as the referee brings the first half to a close. Grealish, Martinez and Haaland are all involved and it looks like the keeper has gone into the book.
We’ll get some more details on that for you shortly.
With respect to the first half, it’s more of the same for the champions really. They play alright and control the ball but their massive flaw exposes them every game.
In truth, City should be at least two goals down on Villa here, despite all of their good work and that’s the issue. Maybe Guardiola was right when he said he wasn’t good enough to sort out their problem.
13:17, 45′
ONE ADDED MINUTE: Aston Villa 1-0 Man City
By Tum Balogun
The announcement of added time comes as Villa waste another counter-attacking opportunity. this time it was Tieleman’s pass into McGinn which didn’t allow the Villa skipper to take it in his stride.
13:16, 44′
BIG CHANCE! Aston Villa 1-0 Man City
By Tum Balogun
CITY SHOULD BE LEVEL!
Guardiol, unbelievably the side’s second-top scorer, sends a header over the top of the crossbar after more great work down the left from Grealish.
The defender had actually started the move with a lung-busting run from his own half. But he wasn’t able to keep his header below Martinez’s post from about seven yards with the keeper stranded.
13:13, 41′
Aston Villa 1-0 Man City
By Tum Balogun
Massive threat on the break from VIlla.
The home side have already profited from one of them in this half, while they have squandered about four promising chances when the final ball hasn’t been quite right or City’s defence has recovered well.
It looks like an accident waiting to happen for Pep’s team. They’re not going to play any differently, especially now they are a goal down.
13:08, 36′
YELLOW CARD: Aston Villa 1-0 Man City (Cash 36′)
By Tum Balogun
You wondered how long Cash could go without committing another foul on Grealish. He lasted about 10 minutes and the referee had no choice but to book him. It makes the rest of the game very exciting as Grealish is the target of most of City’s attacks.
Emery might have to look at that one at the break.
13:07, 35′
BIG SAVE! Aston Villa 1-0 Man City
By Tum Balogun
WHAT A MOVE!
That’s more like it from the champions and the reigning PFA Player of the YEAR Phil Foden.
The Englishman weaves in and out of a couple of Villa players before exchanging passes with Lewis. He found himself on the edge of the box and curled an effort towards the far corner that was palmed away by Martinez for a corner.
13:04
‘A real lack of movement from the City front line’
By Jack Gaughan At Villa Park
A real lack of movement from the City front line. Villa are just waiting for their moments to press and stretch the game.
13:03, 32′
Aston Villa 1-0 Man City
By Tum Balogun
No space in the middle for the visitors so they’re going down the wings and resorting to crosses. Is this Manchester United circa 2013?
12:59, 28′
Aston Villa 1-0 Man City
By Tum Balogun
It’s still all City in terms of the ball but the Villa defence is holding firm in their rigid shape. The visitors are finding most joy on the flanks with the likes of Bernardo Silva and especially Grealish.
The former Villa star has been defended well by Cash but the defender is one foul away from getting booked. We’ll see how that battle evolves.
12:58
Duran’s insane goalscoring record
By Tum Balogun
Looks like Watkins is going to have to get used to that place on the bench. Duran has grabbed his chance to start with both hands and now boasts an extraordinary record in the top flight.
12:55
‘Despite City’s fragility, Villa are waiting for them and pouncing quickly ‘
By Tom Collomosse At Villa Park
Last season, Villa tore into Rodri-less City from the off and should have won by more than 1-0. It’s different here. Despite City’s fragility, Villa are waiting for them and pouncing quickly when they win it back.
Just feel that with a bit more aggression from the home side, City could be there for the taking.
12:54, 23′
Aston Villa 1-0 Man City
By Tum Balogun
The normal order of proceedings has resumed but Villa will be even more content to let City have the ball having just shown how devastating they can be when they get it back.
Emery’s side have had just 22 per cent of possession but they’ve had five shots on goal. It’s a deserved lead based on the quality of chances but City look alright – the only problem is that we’ve said that a few times in the last five weeks.
12:50
WATCH: Villa take the lead after Tieleman’s stunning pass
By Tum Balogun
12:48, 17′
Goal:Aston Villa 1-0 Man City (Duran 17′)
By Tum Balogun
And after all of that, Villa lead! Tielemans won’t get an assist but he makes the goal with a stunning pass through the lines. City’s high line was brutally exposed as Rogers ran through and laid it on a plate for Duran, who slotted it past Ortega.
12:46, 15′
Aston Villa 0-0 Man City
By Tum Balogun
Finally some control for Guardiola and his side after that mad start. Grealish continues to test himself against Matty Cash while Kovacic, Gundogan and Foden are starting to get on the ball more.
It’s good stuff from the visitors.
12:43
Ortega’s UNBELIEVABLE save
By Tum Balogun
Villa were just millimetres from taking the lead after only 19 seconds but for Ortega’s incredible intervention. Emi Martinez was credited with the ‘best Premier League save of all time’ after his stunning stop against Forest. I think I might prefer this one.
12:42, 11′
Aston Villa 0-0 Man City
By Tum Balogun
Villa fans are making their feelings towards their former hero Jack Grealish well-known in the opening minutes here. The winger has been City’s best player at the start of this game and he looks to be energised by their constant boss.
Grealish has gone 35 games for City since his last goal. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends that drought today.
12:38, 7′
Aston Villa 0-0 Man City
By Tum Balogun
What a frantic start! City have come into it in the last couple of minutes, with Greaish spearheading their drive.
But Villa continue to look dangerous on the break. As Tom said, their frailties are on display for everyone to see here.
12:35
‘We are seeing all City’s fragility in the opening seconds’
By Tom Collomosse At Villa Park
We are seeing all City’s fragility in the opening seconds here. Defensive hesitation first in open play and then at a corner. Penny for Watkins’ thoughts when Duran fluffed that chance… should have done much better.
12:34, 2′
SAVE! Aston Villa 0-0 Man City
By Tum Balogun
ORTEGA TAKE A BOW!
The City keeps makes a stunning save to keep the scores level. A header came into the box and Ortega reacted brilliantly to claw the ball out of the goal.
Most of it had crossed the line but not the whole thing. This is some start from the home side.
12:33, 1′
WHAT A CHANCE! Aston Villa 0-0 Man City
By Tum Balogun
OH MY! WHAT A START
Villa could have been up inside 20 seconds. Gvardiol was caught on his heels and Duran raced through. A big let up there. Villa corner is incoming.
12:32, 1′
KICK-OFF: Aston Villa 0-0 Man City
By Tum Balogun
And we’re underway. City get things off at VIlla Park.