Haaland scores his 10th of the season in Villa Park draw

The Norwegian tapped home at the backpost from Kevin De Bruyne’s superb cross to give City the lead shortly after the half-time break.

But Leon Bailey’s powerful effort rescued a point for Villa with 16 minutes remaining. 

City are undefeated in our last 18 games in the Premier League, our longest run since the 19 games we managed from November 2020 to March 2021.

Story of the match 

City were in near total control in the early stages – out-passing their opponents and creating two decent openings in the first 15 minutes.

Kyle Walker flashed over from close range after a slick passing move had carved open the Villa defence. His frustration was clear, suggesting he knew he should have done better.

And Ilkay Gundogan was inches away from finishing off a fine delivery from Kevin De Bruyne on the right.

But clear-cut chances were at a premium for the remainder of the half – in fact, City failed to register a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes - a surprise given we had scored 19 goals in our first five Premier League matches of the season.

Villa’s first attacking threat came after 37 minutes when a swift counter-attack ended with Ollie Watkins’ effort being deflected wide of the far post, a reminder of the threat they pose on the break.

City were ahead five minutes after the restart. De Bruyne produced yet another world-class ball into the box, and Erling Haaland was there to bag his 10th Premier League goal in just six games courtesy of a sidefoot tap in.

It was typical of Haaland, who had been quiet for much of the match but then demonstrated his killer instincts inside the area once more to give City a deserved lead.

Villa had a golden chance just before the hour mark when Jacob Ramsey dispossessed Rodri high up the field and played in Watkins. He returned the ball to Ramsey, who was clean through on goal, but his heavy touch allowed Ederson to intercept.

Emiliano Martinez saved with his legs to deny Haaland a second before parrying another effort from the Norwegian away from goal, either side of De Bruyne’s dipping free-kick crashing off the bar.  

City were now in total command and De Bruyne flashed an effort wide after a fine one-two with Haaland. 

However, the Premier League is rarely predictable, and Villa equalised when Leon Bailey fired home first time from inside the area - a cruel blow for City who had been far superior. 

Phillipe Coutinho’s goal that went in off the underside of the bar was ruled out for offside in the buildup, before Rodri and Riyad Mahrez both flashed efforts past the post. 

De Bruyne magic 

Debates in football are often subjective, but few could argue Kevin De Bruyne is now the world’s premium central-midfield player. 

The pace and precision of his deliveries continually amaze, and with so many willing runners in this City side, his passes so often end in a goal. 

His cross in the first half that was almost turned home by Gundogan was outrageous, as was his ball to the back post that saw Erling Haaland open the scoring. 

But it isn’t just his technical quality that marks him out as special. His drive and desire lifts those around him and raises our collective level. 

We’re lucky to have him. 

Statzone 

Erling Haaland’s goal means he has equalled the record number of goals scored by a player in their first six Premier League matches. 

He now has 10 and is level with Micky Quinn. 

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Teams

Aston Villa

Starting XI: Martinez, Cash (Young 27’), Konsa, Mings, Digne, McGinn (Coutinho 65’), Kamara, Douglas Luiz, J. Ramsey, Watkins, Bailey (Buendia 90+1’)

Unused subs: Olsen, Chambers, Bednarek, Augustinsson, Archer, Ings

City

Starting XI: Ederson, Walker (Ake 80’), Stones, Dias, Cancelo, Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo (Mahrez 73’), Foden, Haaland

Unused subs: Ortega Moreno, Grealish, Aalvarez, Gomez, Palmer, Lewis, Wilson-Esbrand

WATCH: Short Highlights: Aston Villa 1-1 City

Guardiola reaction

“Good game. We conceded just one goal from one shot on target in 90 minutes. We were not precise in our final third touches and our simple things, especially in the first half. We had chances to score a second when the game was in our hands but we didn’t.

“We were better after the goal. But we were just not precise enough in the crosses, we missed a few situations and that’s why we could not score.

“They [Villa] defended well, they are well organised and physical. The way we defended we created enough chances to score goals, we defended well apart from one action.”

What it means

City are second on the table, level on points with Tottenham with 14 points from six matches. 

Arsenal remain top, one point ahead of City, but they have a game in hand against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. 

What’s next?

Our 2022/23 UEFA Champions League campaign gets under way next week. 

City are in Group G alongside Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and FC Copenhagen. Our first assignment sees us travel to Spain to face Sevilla on Tuesday. Kick off is at 20:00 (UK).

And then on Saturday, it’s back to Premier League action with perhaps our toughest test so far this season as Tottenham visit the Etihad.

After a summer revamp, Spurs have started the season superbly, with their rapid counter-attacking football a difficult proposition. They have taken 14 points from their first six matches after their 3-1 win over Fulham this afternoon. 

That one kicks off at 17:30 (UK).

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