Aston Villa vs Man City LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight after Leon Bailey earns draw
Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester City: Leon Bailey responded after Erling Haaland’s opener to deny the champions
Another goal from Erling Haaland wasn’t enough for Manchester City this time as Leon Bailey’s second-half equalizer salvaged a 1-1 draw for Aston Villa against the defending champion in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Haaland took his tally to 10 goals from six games by volleying in a cross from Kevin de Bruyne in the 50th minute but then missed two chances to score a second before Villa struck back.
Bailey met a low cross from Jacob Ramsey and hammered a first-time shot high into the net in the 74th to rescue a valuable point for Villa, whose manager Steven Gerrard was under heavy pressure after three straight league losses.
For City, it’s a second draw to go with four wins in the opening six games, leaving it tied for second place with Tottenham on points. Leader Arsenal has a chance to go four points clear on Sunday if it can maintain its perfect record when it travels to Manchester United.
Pep Guardiola’s City has made a habit of going two goals down before rallying, but this time it was their turn to relinquish the lead.
Haaland had been quiet in the first half but showed his predatory instincts when he came flying in at the far post to meet a pinpoint cross from De Bruyne, jumping high to side-foot the ball in.
The towering Norway striker forced two good saves from Emiliano Martinez as City pushed for a second goal.
That left the visitors open to counterattacks, though, and Ramsey had already squandered one such opportunity with a heavy touch by the time he set up Bailey for the equalizer.
Midfielder Rodri came closest to a winner for City when his shot from outside the area crept narrowly wide in the 87th.
Aston Villa vs Man City team changes
Steven Gerrard makes just one change to the Aston Villa team that lined-up against Arsenal last time out. Emiliano Buendia is replaced with Douglas Luiz.
Pep Guardiola also make just one change as Kevin de Bruyne returns at the expense of Julien Alvarez.
Aston Villa vs Man City line-ups
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, McGinn, Kamara, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey, Watkins, Bailey
Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Cancelo, Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Haaland
Dendoncker on joining Villa
New Aston Villa signing Leander Dendoncker spoke about how it feels to make the move across from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“I’m very excited to have signed for Villa,” he said. “It’s a new challenge for me. I’m really excited to be here and I’ve already been shown around the training ground.
“I can feel that this a big club, you can just feel it. I obviously know the players from playing against them, and I know it’s a very good team with good players.
“I’m really happy to be here.”
Villa’s terrible form
Defeat would see Villa lose five of their opening six top-flight matches for the first time since 1986/87, a season which saw them finish bottom.
They have lost 13 Premier League games in 2022, a tally exceeded only by Everton’s 15 defeats
Guardiola on Haaland
Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, is thrilled with Erling Haaland’s desire to score goals after the striker netted back-to-bakc hat-tricks in the Premier League.
Have a watch at Guardiola praising Haaland’s clinical ability.
Gerrard on deadline day signings
Aston Villa were active right to the end of the transfer window and brought in Leander Dendoncker and Jan Bednarek on deadline day.
At his pre-match press conference Villa boss Steven Gerrard spoke about what each player brings to the team.
“Both players bring vital Premier League experience and international experience. They bring profile into the team and stature, which I think we need.” he said,
“I’m hoping they bring a real positive energy that is needed at the moment. Hopefully they’ll give the current group some help and support that is very much needed in view of our recent results.
“I’m delighted to get them in. It was a challenge in both situations because they were very much in demand. So for them to choose Aston Villa and come to play for us is important.
“The work behind the scenes to get them done was crucial, so well done to those people as well.”
Aston Villa vs Man City
Aston Villa are winless in their last 11 top-flight meetings with Manchester City - one draw, 10 defeats - losing each of the last seven by an aggregate score of 22-5.
City have won 14 of their last 16 league games against Villa - one draw, one loss - their only defeat in this run was a 3-2 defeat at Villa Park in September 2013.
The champions have won 28 Premier League games against the Villans - against no side do they have a better record.
Frank Lampard adamant Virgil van Dijk should have been sent off in Everton’s draw with Liverpool
Frank Lampard criticised the officials for not sending Virgil van Dijk off in the Merseyside derby for a foul on Amadou Onana that he felt was a dangerous tackle.
The Liverpool centre-back was cautioned for a foul on the Everton summer signing in the 0-0 draw at Goodison Park but Lampard was surprised at referee Anthony Taylor’s decision and more surprised VAR Darren England did not intervene to dismiss the Dutchman.
And Lampard, who is aggrieved his players were criticised for time-wasting this week, felt Everton would have had a greater chance of recording a first win of the season if Liverpool had been reduced to 10 men for the last 20 minutes.
Lampard adamant Van Dijk should have seen red Merseyside derby
Everton vs Liverpool: Frank Lampard adamant Virgil van Dijk should got red card for tackle on Amadou Onana in derby
Aston Villa vs Man City early team news
Aston Villa will monitor new signing Leander Dendoncker who has a sore throat but Jan Bednarek is available following his loan move from Southampton.
Diego Carlos is a long-term absentee as he recovers from a torn Achilles.
Jack Grealish and Nathan Ake are back in training for Man City could feature but Kalvin Phillips is recovering from a shoulder problem.
Manuel Akanji, who has signed from Borussia Dortmund on deadline day, is unlikely to start but may play a part later on.
Half-time scores
Following Everton and Liverpool’s goalless draw in the Merseyside derby earlier today there are six Premier League fixtures currently in action.
At half-time Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Wolves all have leads. Here’s how those matches stand:
Brentford 2-1 Leeds
Chelsea 0-0 West Ham
Newcastle 0-0 Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest 2-0 Bournemouth
Tottenham 1-0 Fulham
Wolves 1-0 Southampton
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