aston villa 1 v manchester city 1

 

 

 

It seems an age ago already. A late Saturday afternoon at summer's end. We're up against the might of Manchester City, a team packed full of the world's best talent and coached by one, if not the best, coach ever.

 

They have a prodigious striker, Erling Haaland, set to light up the Premier League like none before. He scores. But still we fight on. And against the odds, Leon Bailey scores!!!!

Is this real? Have we taken a point?  The whistle blows and the crowd erupts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

aston villa 1 v manchester city 2 - yours is no disgrace

 

The night is cold, but outside the stadium the temperature begins to rise for the return of Jack Grealish to Villa Park. As the queues lengthen for carbohydrate-rich fast-food the entertainment is provided by an enthusiastic brass band and a Peter Crouch look-alike juggling a set of Indian clubs.

 

The teams are announced and Jack is named on the Manchester City bench. His arrival is greeted by a mixture of boos and polite applause from the home crowd. Not quite the home-coming of a super-hero. 

 

And so to the football. City dominate the opening exchanges, seemingly picking apart the Villa defence at will. It comes as little surprise when Ruben Diaz rifles in a long-range shot for the opening goal. Villa remain on the back-foot. There are a few tentative forays forward but once again the defence is shredded when a lightening quick counter-attack sees Bernando Silva volley into the back of the net.

 

The second half is much, much better. Villa are on the score-board early when Ollie Watkins, back to his old form, meets a Douglas Luiz corner with a crisp shot which rifles into the corner of the goal. Two-one and the game is on. Villa continue to press. Towards the end they even have the chance to equalise, but a fine save from Ederson denies Carney Chukwuemeka.

 

Given the Abu Dhabi owners of City have spent in excess of £30bn (and in doing so incurred the wrath of both UEFA and the Premier League in relation to Financial Fair Play rules ) it seems difficult to compete. But Villa tried valiantly - another promising sign for life under Steven Gerrard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

yours is no disgrace

And so to the game ...

Villa start brightly, putting Manchester City on the back foot and creating a half-chance for Anwar El Ghazi. But before long the pattern of play is established with City pressing forward relentlessly. Their opening goal comes from the boot of Sergio Aguero and a few minutes later Rodri doubles the score with a fine header.

Despite these setbacks Villa refuse to buckle. An equally fine header from new striker, Mbwana Samatta cuts the lead to one as the teams go in at half-time.

The second half sees constant pressure from City. Villa have little in the way of possession. On the rare occasions they do get the ball City's relentless harrying forces them either to go long or lose possession. Unbelievably, though, they do have one last opportunity to level the scores and take the game to extra-time. Bjorn Engels delivers an excellent header only to see it deflected onto the cross-bar by an even finer save by City's Claudio Bravo.

Villa fans remain resolute, cheering the team as the players fall to the ground when the final whistle blows.  There's no disgrace here. We've held City to just two goals, scored a fine one ourselves through Samatta and out-sung their fans throughout the game.

Here's hoping we can continue in good form for the remainder of the season.  Our survival in the Premiership depends on it.