Manchester City face Aston Villa in the Premier League tonight, with both sides looking to land a potentially vital blow in the race for Champions League qualification.
City start the week in the qualification spots after last weekend’s 2-0 win over Everton, though they are only a point ahead of seventh-placed Villa with five games left to play.
While Pep Guardiola’s side have favourable fixtures as they look to book a place in the top five, a win tonight could be key against an in-form Villa side.
And Unai Emery’s team – who face a more difficult path to make it back to Europe’s top cup competition – will be buoyed by recent performances as they look to leapfrog City for now.
Follow all the latest build-up, team news and updates from the Etihad below:
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
48 mins: Marmoush is the danger for Man City. He’s great with the ball at his feet and is unafraid to take players on when close to the box.
Boubacar Kamara sticks out a leg to tackle him and withdraws it in time to avoid a foul. The striker’s touch then runs away from him and the ball drifts out for a goal kick.
Second half! Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
Manchester City get the second half underway. They work the ball over to the right wing but are repelled by Villa’s defence.
HT Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
This has been a pretty close affair so far.
Manchester City have created five chances with three of them on target while Aston Villa have created the same number but only two of theirs have troubled the goalkeeper.
City, as expected, are dominating possession, but Villa have the better xG at 1.35 compared to City’s 0.52.
HT Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
‘Pretty even so far’
“Pretty even so far. City have had more possession, which they want.
“Villa have been able to counter-attack, which they like doing.
“Marcus Rashford has shown more threat than a Manchester United centre-forward has for many a month.
“After Emery dropped Ollie Watkins, Saturday’s star turn, he has had some vindication from Rashford’s first-half display.”
Half-time! Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
45+4 mins: Nothing to separate the two teams at the half time break.
Man City went ahead through Bernardo Silva but Marcus Rashford equalised from the penalty spot.
As things stands, City will move up to fourth and Villa push up to sixth having played a game more than those around them.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
45 mins: Nearly! A Villa corner is swept onto the head of Amadou Onana.
He powers towards the vicinity of the goal but Nico O’Reilly blocks the shot and City clear.
Four minutes of added time to play.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
42 mins: A free kick for Aston Villa could be dangerous for Man City.
Rashford hooks the ball into the box from wide on the right wing but doesn’t clear the first City defender.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
39 mins: Close!
Marcus Rashford darts in behind and is given the ball. It comes over the top and his first touch isn’t great.
It takes him too far into the penalty area and Stefan Ortega closes him down as he turns the ball towards goal.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
36 mins: Lucas Digne is put in the book for a late tackle on De Bruyne.
The Man City midfielder made more of the challenge than was necessary but he’s convinced the referee to pull out a yellow card.
City are probably getting themselves on top in this match.
Nico O’Reilly gets a cross into the box and finds Marmoush who heads his effort over the top.
Source: independent.co.uk
