Hello and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE text commentary of the Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Manchester City. Can Steven Gerrard make it three wins from three games as Villa boss or will his old rivals - on Jack Grealish's big return - bring his winning start to a crashing halt? Let's grab the team news ahead of this 20:15 kick-off!

Premier League / Matchday 14

Villa Park / 01.12.2021

Aston Villa

Completed

Manchester City

O. Watkins(47')

R. Dias(27')
B. Silva(43')

Live

Live Updates

ByMarcus Foley

Updated 01/12/2021 at 22:10 GMT

29'

Block! A positive response from Villa as Douglas Luiz fires it into the feet of Buendia whose shot is deflected behind for a corner. And although nothing comes of the set-piece there have been signs of encouragement for the hosts recently despite the scoreline.

27'

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester City (Ruben Dias): Sterling drops to the shoulder to get past McGinn and race to the by-line. He pulls it back for Dias who doesn't catch it cleanly but his left-footed shot flies into the bottom corner leaving Martinez helpless.

Goal

R. Dias

Manchester City

Goals1

On target1

Fouls2

Free Kicks1

25'

Villa have now had 40% of possession as the game becomes more stretched. Just as I write that, Buendia drives them forward but then lets himself down with a sloppy pass.

24'

Villa continue to play on the counter-attack as Bailey runs centrally but tries to go it alone instead of playing through Buendia and loses possession.

23'

Save! Ederson's amazing kick finds Sterling on the left flank and he finds Zinchenko in space. He tries his luck and although the shot has plenty of power in it Martinez hardly has to move to make the stop.

22'

Mo Salah makes it 2-0 at Goodison Park. Liverpool are strolling to victory.

21'

Ake has to be alert to beat Watkins to Douglas Luiz's low and hard cross.

He's already tested Martinez tonight.

18'

Mason Mount has just given Chelsea the lead at Watford while Liverpool are 1-0 up in the Merseyside Derby. City are currently the only team in the top three who aren't winning.

15'

No penalty! Jesus takes a tumble inside the Villa penalty area. Did Cash get a toe to the ball? Mike Dean believes so as City's appeals for a spot-kick go ignored!

14'

A good old fashioned drop-ball is awarded by Mike Dean following a coming together! Villa win as the hosts clear their lines.

12'

Block! Villa come alive! Watkins carries the ball forward, feeds it to Buendia who switches it to Bailey. His first time shot is blocked by Zinchenko.

10'

Watkins wins a free-kick to finally relieve the pressure on Villa, who have had to weather a storm for 10 minutes!

Possession - Aston Villa 15 % - Man City 85%.

Wave after wave of City attack as the visitors now force a corner. Relentless pressure!

Save! Villa goalkeeper Martinez is called into action once more, this time to deny Rodri's powerful effort.

Block! Twice Jesus could go down inside the penalty area but to his credit the Manchester City forward stays on his feet, twisting and turning, finding the space for a shot which is eventually charged down by Mings.

From the resulting corner, Jesus curls a shot well wide. Villa can't get out of their own half at the moment!

Save! An early City chance! Sterling cuts in off the left flank, switches the ball to Mahrez on the right and he finds Cancelo on the overlap. He tries to blast it across the face but Martinez is there to block it.

1st Half

Kick-off! The players take the knee before City get us underway!

20:13

The players have emerged, the managers have made their way to their seats and we're almost ready for action!

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