Follow live coverage as Aston Villa face Manchester City today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Liverpool look to fend off competition from Arsenal, Manchester City and more.
The race for the Champions League places should also be a compelling battle, with a fifth place possible for English teams. Manchester United’s latest rebuild under Ruben Amorim sets expectations high once more after a dismal season last time out.
Meanwhile, it’s Burnley, Leeds United and Sunderland who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Aston Villa FC 1 - 0 Manchester City FC
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
16:12Inflicting Manchester City's first defeat in 10 matches, Aston Villa post a third consecutive home win over their visitors, with a 1-0 victory at Villa Park. The hosts had less possession and attempted half as many shots, but an increasingly familiar moment of magic from Cash ultimately separated the sides. Villa's winner came from a set-piece, as Digne and Buendia - the latter of whom was later forced off by injury - combined to set up the flying full-back, who brilliantly picked out the bottom corner and left Donnarumma with no chance. Ending his scoring streak, Haaland barely had any chances - though he was denied by Martinez early on - and City simply ran out of ideas against a disciplined defence. Guardiola's side finished with a superior xG of 1.05 to Villa's 0.62, but they were strangely muted in the final third. Remarkably, Emery's men have also matched an 89-year-old record, as the first team since 1936 to start an English top-flight campaign with a five-game winless run before prevailing in all of the next four. They are next in action at Anfield, where they'll face ailing Premier League champions Liverpool on Saturday; meanwhile, City must play a midweek EFL Cup tie in Swansea. That's all from Birmingham today, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:58FULL-TIME: ASTON VILLA 1-0 MANCHESTER CITY
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:58Drawing a huge roar, Martinez leaves his line to grab a hopeful back-header from Haaland, following Cherki's floated cross from the right. Have Man City run out of ideas?
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:57Onana and then Barkley make important blocks in the Villa area, as Manchester City strive for an equaliser. The hosts are hanging on for the full-time whistle now!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:56Time is now running out for City to avoid a third straight defeat at Villa Park, where the home fans are in full voice. We are already into six minutes of stoppage time.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:54NO GOAL! Backing up the on-field decision, Haaland was offside when turning the ball in at close range - also clattering painfully into the post - so it stays 1-0 to Aston Villa!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:52GOAL CHECK! Have Man City snatched a late leveller? Marmoush whips a low delivery along the six-yard box for Haaland, who slides in at the back post and bundles the ball home. However, the assistant's flag is immediately raised for offside. This will be checked...
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:51Since half-time, City have had 61% of the ball, taking 12 shots and making 10 more entries into the final third than their hosts. However, it's all counting for nothing at the moment.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:48There's also a switch at left-back, as Maatsen takes the place of Digne, who was involved in the game's only goal.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:47Emery now makes a late double change: first, Watkins is replaced up front by Malen.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:47The game restarts with Aston Villa temporarily down to 10 men, but Onana is eventually cleared to return. He sprints back into position, as Man City try to engineer at least one late chance to equalise.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:45While Onana is checked over for any signs of concussion, Man City make their final change. Savinho is replaced by Marmoush.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:46O'Reilly races to the left byline and cuts the ball back for Foden, placed on the very edge of Villa's box. However, the latter has to stretch in order to turn the ball goalwards, and his attempt thuds straight into Onana's face. The referee calls a halt to proceedings immediately.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:42Swiftly following Foden into the referee's notebook, Kamara crudely chops down Doku in midfield. He didn't want to let his opponent trigger a counter-attack.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:41Desperate to halt Guessand, who is threatening to run clear down the right flank, Foden eventually topples the Villa substitute and picks up a late yellow card.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:41Manchester City now have just a 23% chance of getting any points from this match, according to Opta's live win predictor. As things stand, they're slipping further behind Arsenal in the early stages of this season's Premier League title race.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:38Seeking some more inspiration, with time running out, City send on Cherki. Reijnders is the latest man to depart.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:38Barkley's perfectly placed throughball sends Watkins away, but the Villa striker stumbles inside City's box, as Donnarumma rapidly advances. The goalkeeper then sweeps up any remaining danger.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:36Guessand is also sent on, as first-half sub Sancho - who replaced the injured Buendia - is hauled off.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:35Emery decides the time is right to make his first changes. Aston Villa captain McGinn is first to depart, making way for Barkley, who is generally calm and composed on the ball.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:35Martinez gratefully plucks the ball out of the air and drops to the turf, as Doku bursts past Cash and delivers a dangerous deflected cross from the left byline.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:34Finally registering his second attempt on goal, Haaland steers a tame header straight at Martinez from around 12 yards out. Foden's cross lacked any pace, so it was asking a lot to score from there.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:32DOUBLE SAVE! Sancho is denied by Donnarumma! The ex-City winger shows great persistence to get past Nunes, then hits the left byline. From a tight angle, his first effort is parried away by Man City's giant goalkeeper, who then does well to keep out Sancho's second attempt from close range!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:31The latest in a growing line of City corners is taken by Foden, whose outswinger is met by Gvardiol. However, the Croatian defender is then crowded out. Villa have conceded from corner-kicks in all of their last three league matches, but they've defended them doggedly today.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:30Doku's zipped cross from the left, aimed towards Haaland, is levered away by Pau Torres. Since making their triple change, City have continued to press for an equaliser, but Aston Villa are continuing to keep them at arm's length.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:27Falling into McGinn's familiar trap, Nico Gonzalez leans on Aston Villa's experienced skipper, who had positioned himself perfectly to win a free-kick.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:27After Dias makes a vital header away from danger inside his own area, Villa's corner is sent in by Digne. Not for the first time today, Haaland completes a headed clearance.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:24Finally, Bernardo Silva makes way for Nico Gonzalez.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:23Wing wizard Doku is also introduced, taking the place of fellow wide-man Bobb.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:23Though his team are now starting to build some momentum, Guardiola still sees fit to make a triple substitution. First, Stones is replaced by O'Reilly.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:23TRIPLE CHANCE! Following a second corner-kick in quick succession, Man City almost equalise! First, Foden's delivery is met by Dias, whose header is blocked. Then, Savinho's drilled strike is thwarted by Onana; at his second attempt, the Brazilian's goalbound shot is somehow turned over the crossbar by Pau Torres! Great defending!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:20After Sancho loses the ball and City stride forward, Konsa slides in to block Savinho's low cross and concedes a corner. From the set-piece, the visitors fail to engineer a threatening ball into the box.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:19A loose first touch on Foden's fizzed pass sees Haaland lose the ball to Konsa on the edge of Aston Villa's box. The Norwegian striker is looking to score in a sixth successive Premier League away game - a feat only Sergio Aguero has ever managed for Man City - but he's had just one clear chance so far.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:15The second City player to be booked today, Reijnders is shown yellow for felling Watkins in midfield.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:16CHANCE! Dias makes a crucial block inside his six-yard box, as Cash sends in a flat corner-kick from the left side and McGinn guides it goalwards first time. That keeps City's deficit down to one!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:15Aston Villa have lost just one of their last 20 Premier League games when leading at half time, winning on 14 occasions. Meanwhile, Manchester City have failed to win any of their last eight league games when trailing at the break, losing seven times since a 3-1 victory over Man United in March 2024.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:11Having seen off successive corner-kicks, Villa are pushed back again - this time by a driving run from deep by Reijnders. As happened early in the first half, he's allowed to advance towards the edge of the box, but he then drags a low shot well wide.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:10There are some early signs of a Man City revival, as Foden charges forward and has a shot blocked. Nothing comes of City's first corner, but they quickly earn another on the right.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:07Aston Villa kick off, and we are back under way in Birmingham!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
15:01As Arsenal are leading Crystal Palace in London, Man City would slip six points behind their title rivals as things stand. The Premier League is a marathon - not a sprint - so that would hardly prove fatal, but getting something out of this tough fixture is the type of result acheived by champions. Meanwhile, Villa are now just 45 minutes away from beating City at Villa Park in three consecutive seasons - a remarkable feat if they can pull it off.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:55At the close of a first half turned on its head by one moment, Aston Villa lead Manchester City 1-0 at Villa Park. The visitors had started strongly, coming closest through a rasping Reijnders strike, before Villa carved out their first half-chance from a set-piece: Digne and Buendia combined to set up Cash, who then converted with an increasingly regular strike. Following up previous goals for his club and country this season, the flying full-back brilliantly picked out the bottom corner, leaving Donnarumma with no chance. After that, the hosts were in charge, while City lost confidence and barely created any opportunities for goal-hungry Haaland, who had one tame shot saved by Martinez. They end the first half with an xG of 0.27 compared to Villa's 0.34, but it's their deficit on the scoreboard that will concern Guardiola.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:50HALF-TIME: ASTON VILLA 1-0 MANCHESTER CITY
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:49Facing a dead end on the right flank, McGinn runs into Gvardiol and craftily wins a free-kick. He then gets up and shapes to take the set-piece, but Cash swings it in. Watkins gets his head on it, but the ball is immediately blocked.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:47With the home side leading by one at Villa Park, there will be at least three minutes of first-half stoppage time. Most of that will have been added for Buendia's injury.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:45Now passing around patiently, probing for gaps, Man City have struggled to carve out many chances. So far, they've had just two shots; that's their fewest in the first half of a Premier League game since last December against Liverpool, when they only managed one.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:44Villa's third corner-kick of the match is swung in by Digne, but City initially clear their lines. McGinn then picks up the loose ball out wide on the right, but his curling cross is also headed clear.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:41Having arrived late into a sliding challenge on Rogers, Savinho is shown the game's first yellow card. That's perhaps a bit harsh, given the slick surface in rainy Birmingham.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:40Under pressure from both Rogers and Kamara in the Villa area, Gvardiol hits the deck but still manages to move the ball on towards Foden. The latter then lashes a hopeful effort high over the top.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:39Watkins raises his hand in apology after being caught offside, as the game falls into a rare lull. Despite losing Buendia to injury, Villa have done well to keep their positive momentum - can they capitalise by adding another goal before half-time?
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:37Reflecting the home side's supremacy over the past 15 minutes, Aston Villa are now clear favourites to prevail, according to Opta's live win predictor. They have a 55% chance of success as things stand, compared to just 19% for Manchester City.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:35Man City are still struggling to find their rhythm, as Villa continue to push on. A promising move down the left involving Digne and Sancho ultimately comes to nothing, though.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:33It's a sad sight for Villa, as key creator Buendia has to depart with what looks like a foot injury. Former Manchester City - and United - winger Sancho will replace him.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:33JUST WIDE! After Sancho makes progress up the right, Villa work the ball towards their captain, who takes aim from the edge of the box. However, McGinn's low drive flies past the right-hand post via a deflection! The hosts will have to settle for another corner.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:30While Buendia receives treatment, both coaches offer some tactical instruction to their team, while most of the players take on drinks. Will this pause kill the home side's building momentum?
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:29Unlacing his boot, Buendia sits down on the turf and calls for medical attention, which could be bad news for Villa. The diminutive playmaker has been one of their star players this season, and he's already set up the opening goal today.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:28Buoyed by their goal, Aston Villa have started to play with more freedom, forcing Manchester City back. Under pressure, Nunes has to concede a throw-in deep inside his own half, offering the hosts to develop another attack.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:26That was another set-piece goal for Aston Villa, who are unbeaten in their last 30 Premier League home games when scoring first - they've gone on to win 26 times during that run. City have a mountain to climb now.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:25SAVE! Haaland should score! With Villa caught short at the back, Bernardo Silva slides his prolific team-mate through on the right side of the area, but Haaland can only drag his low shot straight at Martinez!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:22After receiving a short corner from Digne, Buendia plays a low ball back towards opening goalscorer Cash on the very edge of Man City's box.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:21GOAL!!! ASTON VILLA LEAD! From the game's first corner-kick, Digne takes the set-piece short to Buendia, who in turn finds Cash. Having taken one touch to set himself on the edge of the box, the in-form full-back rifles a superb strike into the bottom-right corner with his weaker left foot! Man City trail; It's 1-0 to Villa!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:20Villa create their best opening of the match, as Buendia slips away from his marker deep in midfield and surges forward. He then plays in Rogers, who finds Watkins in the box, but the latter's hesitant backheel makes it difficult for Digne to shoot. The French full-back's attempt is immediately blocked.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:18Though Cash takes a loose touch, inviting a challenge from Savinho in midfield, he then defends the ball well and wins a free-kick. The City winger was too eager to steal possession.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:16After Gvardiol and Bernardo Silva link up on the left, Konsa initially deals with the danger. However, he then slips and only recovers just in time to stop Haaland snaffling the ball. Villa then quickly counter, but nothing comes of their attack.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:15Strong starters, Man City have opened the scoring in all of their last 10 matches. They've also notched five unanswered goals in the first half of Premier League away games this season, and they're looking the better team at Villa Park.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:13Donnarumma leaves his line to intercept a hopeful long ball by McGinn that was intended for Watkins. That direct route could prove fruitful for Villa today, as they probably won't have much possession - they've had a meagre 31% share so far.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:11It's all City at the moment, as the visitors squeeze their hosts back. Aston Villa are happy to stay compact and keep the play in front of them at the moment, as they're faced by a whole range of attacking outlets.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:09CLOSE! Teed up by Bobb's low pass inside from the right, Reijnders is allowed to take a couple of touches by Villa's hesitant defence before letting loose. Narrowly missing the crossbar, he drills a powerful shot from just outside the box!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:07Dias does well to close the door, just as Buendia tries to slip through Watkins in a central position. City were left exposed for a moment there, but their defensive rock was alert to the danger.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:05Making an impact in his own box, Haaland partly clears a long throw-in from the left touchline with his head, but the ball still falls for Buendia. The latter lets fly with an ambitious volleyed attempt from 20 yards out, and it sails high over Donnarumma's crossbar.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:04If results go their way, Manchester City could end this afternoon on top of the Premier League table: with leaders Arsenal now playing Crystal Palace, City can go top if they win this match and the Gunners lose in London. Of course, Villa will have other ideas.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
14:02Manchester City kick off, and we are under way in Birmingham!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:59Both teams emerge from the tunnel at Villa Park, so kick-off in this Premier League contest is now just moments away!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:57Man City make three changes to the XI that started in Spain: Bobb replaces Doku on the wing, while Foden and Reijnders come into an attack-minded midfield. Stand-in anchor man Nico Gonzalez was withdrawn on Tuesday and is only fit enough for the bench; main man Rodri is already missing with a thigh injury, joining Abdukodir Khusanov in the treatment room. Again starting up front, Haaland has scored 11 of City's 17 league goals this season.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:57Recalling regular starters such as ex-City man Rogers, captain McGinn - who makes his 200th Premier League start - Kamara and Cash, Aston Villa make six changes compared to Thursday. Despite a lack of goals, last term’s top scorer Watkins keeps his place ahead of Malen. Influential midfielder Tielemans is the hosts’ main absentee - he has yet to return from a calf injury.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:47SUBS: James Trafford, Nathan Ake, Omar Marmoush, Mateo Kovacic, Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku, Nico Gonzalez, Nico O'Reilly, Rico Lewis.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:47MANCHESTER CITY (4-1-4-1): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Josko Gvardiol; Tijjani Reijnders; Oscar Bobb, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Savinho; Erling Haaland.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:41SUBS: Marco Bizot, Victor Lindelof, Tyrone Mings, Ross Barkley, Donyell Malen, Jadon Sancho, Ian Maatsen, Lamare Bogarde, Evann Guessand.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:41ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne; Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana; John McGinn, Emiliano Buendia, Morgan Rogers; Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:36City have also won all of their last three league games, most recently posting a 2-0 victory over Everton thanks to Erling Haaland's brace. With their star striker in scintillating form, they are now just three points shy of Premier League leaders Arsenal, with the title contenders unexpectedly split by underdogs Sunderland. Tuesday’s away win against Villarreal also leaves Pep Guardiola's men well placed in the Champions League. Now, they are looking to leave Birmingham with maximum points for the first time since 2021.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:36Seeking their fourth top-flight win on the spin, Aston Villa impressively fought back from behind to beat Tottenham 2-1 last weekend. However, Unai Emery's men were then left stunned by a Europa League defeat on Thursday, when they let their lead slip against Go Ahead Eagles before Emi Buendia missed a late penalty. That result halted the club’s six-game unbeaten sequence, but having seen off Fulham, Burnley and Spurs of late, they now lie just four points behind City in the Premier League table.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:30Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Villa Park!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
