Manchester City vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League latest score and goal updates after Rodri header
Man City ‘already convicted’ – Guardiola for violations
Manchester City are making their return for the first time since being charged with over 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules as they host Aston Villa this afternoon.
The Premier League title-holders come into the game under tight scrutiny as an independent commission determines if they are guilty of charges and face ejection from the top flight. City have insisted there is “irrefutable evidence” to prove their innocence and manager Pep Guardiola defended the club on Friday, saying: “I firmly believe we will be innocent”.
On the pitch, Man City need to respond to losing 1-0 to Tottenham in their last game, but a 1-1 draw between Arsenal and Brentford yesterday means they can narrow the gap to leaders to just three points if they defeat Aston Villa defeat today. Meanwhile, Unai Emery’s men will be hoping to recover from their 4-2 defeat by Leicester last time out but should expect a difficult period at the Etihad Stadium.
Earlier, late goals from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho had given Manchester United a hard-fought 2-0 win at Leeds. It meant United edged City to second place after two more games.
Follow all the action as Man City hosts Aston Villa in the Premier League following the earlier Leeds v Man Utd clash:
Manchester City 1-0 Aston Villa
30 mins: Man City look hungry today. Kevin De Bruyne receives the ball and carries it towards the penalty area.
He shoves a pass into the feet of Jack Grealish, who rolls it onto his right foot and puts one in on goal, only to be denied by Emi Martinez, who slammed the ball past the far post.
Michael JonesFebruary 12, 2023 5:01 p.m
Manchester City 1-0 Aston Villa
28 min: Manchester City wins a free kick and shoots the ball into the penalty area. It falls to Bernardo Silva, who drills a shot on goal and hits Ezri Konsa in the arm.
His hands were at his side and Ruben Dias blocked his view but VAR take a look at a possible handball. Nothing comes out.
Michael JonesFebruary 12, 2023 4:59 p.m
Manchester City 1-0 Aston Villa
25 minutes: Boubacar Kamara receives the ball when Aston Villa lashes a cross into the box from the left. He gets it under control before lifting a dainty pass down the middle where Emiliano Buendia lunges at it and nods a chance past the next post.
Decent answer from Aston Villa.
Michael JonesFebruary 12, 2023 4:56 p.m
Manchester City 1-0 Aston Villa
22 minutes: it’s over! Another corner for City is whipped up by Mahrez. Ruben Dias gets the first touch and nods the ball in the middle where it lands for Erling Haaland.
He gets swamped by a couple of defenders but gets a shot away and lifts the shot over the bar!
Michael JonesFebruary 12, 2023 4:53 p.m
Manchester City 1-0 Aston Villa
19min: Mahrez and De Bruyne expertly connect on City’s right. De Bruyne puts himself in some dangerous areas but just can’t pick out the last ball.
City wins a corner that goes to Jack Grealish. He smokes a volley on goal on the turn, but his shot is deflected wide by Calum Chambers.
Michael JonesFebruary 12, 2023 4:52 p.m
Manchester City 1-0 Aston Villa
16 mins: Manchester City will be upset with this unrecognized goal, Erling Haaland did nothing wrong but the keeper made the decision.
Riyad Mahrez sends a pass down the sideline for Kevin De Bruyne but the Belgian fails to intercept it in time to keep it in play.
Michael JonesFebruary 12, 2023 4:49 p.m
Manchester City 1-0 Aston Villa
13 minutes: Unrecognized goal! Kyle Walker lifts the ball over the top and bounces it into the penalty area. Erling Haaland runs past Calum Chambers and shakes off the defender.
He only has eyes for the ball as Emi Martinez comes off his line and Haaland knocks the ball off his nose. The two collide and go down as the ball falls on Ilkay Gundogan.
He drills it into the net, but the referee calls the keeper a foul.
Michael JonesFebruary 12, 2023 4:46 p.m
Manchester City 1-0 Aston Villa
12 minutes: Save! City should be two! Kevin De Bruyne gets the ball out on the right wing and slides in a pass to Rodri. He threads it into the box while Ilkay Gündogan does a cutting run.
The German midfielder takes a shot at goal, but Emi Martinez gets the ball a bit and shoots it wide of the far post! Great attack, great save.
Michael JonesFebruary 12, 2023 4:43 p.m
Manchester City 1-0 Aston Villa
10 mins: Ollie Watkins runs behind Man City defense as a long ball comes over the top Leon Bailey is up there with him and drives into the box, but Watkins’ cutback gets to Rodri, who puts the ball away for the home side.
Michael JonesFebruary 12, 2023 4:42 p.m
Manchester City 1-0 Aston Villa
7 mins: Manchester City came under scrutiny this week after the Premier League charged them with over 100 breaches of the top-flight financial rules.
That off-field focus led many to believe the champions would react on the pitch against Aston Villa today and they certainly started well.
It could be a long day for the Villans today.
Michael JonesFebruary 12, 2023 4:38 p.m