ConcordNg

PREMIER LEAGUE

• April 25, 2015
 
• • 16:30
 
• • Etihad Stadium, Manchester

• Referee: M. Dean

MANCHESTER CITY

• S. Agüero 3',
 
• A. Kolarov 66'

2

81'

1

 

ASTON VILLA

• T. Cleverley 68'

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CommentaryMain events

• 89'

  AssistAleksandar Kolarov
• 89'

  GoalFernandinho
• 89'

  GOOOOOOOAL! FERNANDINHO MAKES IT 3-2 TO MAN CITY! The Brazil international lashes a finish home, after Villa fail to clear their lines following a corner! The former Shakhtar man takes a good first touch, before making the most of a pocket of space!
• 87'

  SubstitutionLeandro Bacuna Matthew Lowton 
• 87'

  Delph manages to block a good effort from Navas, before Villa break away at pace! N'Zogbia slides Benteke in behind the back four, with the Belgian penalised for offside! He was not, Demichelis was back playing him on! Man City have got away with one there.
• 85'

  GoalCarlos Sánchez
  GOOOOOOOOOOAL! SANCHEZ EQUALISES FOR THE AWAY SIDE! Poor defending from Man City yet again! N'Zogbia whips in a corner, which isn't dealt with by Hart nor Fernando, allowing for the Colombia international to slam a finish into the back of the net! Hart has to ask himself if he's been at fault for both of these goals.
• 84'

  Aguero is withdrawn for the home side, with the Argentine grabbing an important and opportunistic goal but offering little else. Bony is introduced, with Pellegrini presumably wanting to add a target to the frontline for the ball to stick to. They've had little staying power in the opposition half of late.
• 83'

  SubstitutionSergio Agüero Wilfried Bony 
• 83'

  Silva and Milner combine down the right to earn the hosts a corner, but the set piece is headed away at the near post. Villa break as a result, but after good running from Grealish, the Citizens manage to get enough blue shirts back behind the ball.
• 81'

  Fernando stops another Villa break, with Delph looking full of energy and invention at the moment, but the Brazilian somehow avoids a booking for his cynical actions. Hart is then forced to get down to his left-hand side to smother a speculative effort from Richardson.
• 79'

  Navas gives away a free kick on the right-hand side, after clipping the heels of Delph. Villa whip the delivery into the box, but Benteke is unable to divert his header goalwards, due to heavy pressure. Man City just aren't looking like a team who wants to win, here.
• 77'

  Delph races through the heart of the Man City midfield, before combining with Richardson down the right-hand side. Grealish is fed possession, before attempting to find Benteke in the box, but the Belgium international is denied by Demichelis. It's all Villa!
• 75'

  Villa are continuing to see more of the ball, with both halves now following the pattern of Man City starting well, before Villa compose themselves and begin to dominate. N'Zogbia has been a good change so far, given that the Frenchman has been involved in a few half chances already. Benteke is nearly picked out by an inswinging cross by Bacuna, but can't quite get there!
• 73'

  Good stop from Hart! The Englishman makes himself big at his near post to deny N'Zogbia, as the substitute looked to race into the clear and punish Man City! Milner breaks down the right after robbing Sanchez, but Okore covers across well to deny the former Leeds midfielder.
• 72'

  Less than 20 minutes are left on the clock for Man City to see out, but there's suddenly a real intent behind Villa's play. Bacuna attempts to swing an early cross in from the right, but the Dutchman is denied by a clearing header once again. Moments later, the former Groningen man breaks to the byline, but his cut back is stabbed away by Demichelis.
• 70'

  Suddenly, Villa are right back in with a chance! Grealish almost manages to lay N'Zogbia through on goal, but the former Wigan midfielder gives up on the ball a little too easily, allowing for Hart to take a goal kick. The away fans are back in good voice and the visitors have their tails up!
• 68'

  GoalTom Cleverley
  GOOOOOOOAL! CLEVERLEY MAKES IT 2-1! N'Zogbia comes into the fray at the expense of Westwood, with Sherwood clearly looking to be more offensive with his wide options. Villa win themselves a free kick of their own, which causes pinball in the penalty area, leaving the former Man United midfielder to lash a finish into a bizarrely half-unguarded net! Hart came halfway and then was out of position!
• 68'

  SubstitutionAshley Westwood Charles N'Zogbia 
• 66'

  GoalAleksandar Kolarov
  GOOOOOOOAL! KOLAROV MAKES IT 2-0! The Serbian full-back lines up a terrific free-kick effort, curling the ball around the wall and into the bottom corner! Guzan is unsighted by his own defenders and the hosts are two goals to the good!
• 65'

  Yellow CardCarlos Sánchez
• 65'

  Silva flicks a pass in to Aguero, before the latter finds Zabaleta overlapping! The Argentine defender bustles his way into the box, but is frustrated! Man City recycle the ball, before Sanchez is penalised for a foul on Fernando. Silva is moving about gingerly after being tackled by Okore.
• 63'

  Important clearance from Vlaar! Kolarov and Milner combine well down the left, before the former whips a cross into the six-yard box in search of Aguero! Moments later, Westwood is on hand to intervene and concede a corner, which results in Benteke making a good block before clearing.
• 62'

  Yellow CardAshley Westwood
• 61'

  Good cross from Kolarov! The Serbian full-back overlaps down the left, before fizzing in a devilish delivery which Guzan is forced to pounce upon! The American goalkeeper has looked much more assured of his decisions this side of the half-time break.
• 59'

  Timely clearance from Zabaleta! The Argentine full-back is on hand to lash the ball away from the danger zone, sparking a break from Man City. The hosts are in no rush, however, keeping the ball and ensuring that they don't surrender possession to Villa without reason.
• 57'

  SubstitutionFrank Lampard James Milner 
• 57'

  Bacuna tries to loop a cross in from the right flank, but Fernando is on hand to head away follow a deflection off Kolarov. Pellegrini makes the first change of the evening, with the lacklustre Lampard replaced by the more energetic presence of Milner.
• 55'

  Navas is nearly picked out making a run in behind Richardson, but Guzan is very quick off his line to pounce upon the loose ball. Villa then break down the right-hand side, before a Cleverley cross is cushioned back to the edge of the penalty area and then lashed wide by Delph.
• 53'

  The home side have showed a bit more intent and intensity at the outset of the second half, with Sherwood looking rather disillusioned on his own bench. Benteke is yet to see much of the ball, with Silva and Navas beginning to have more of an influence on proceedings once again. The latter pulls back a good cross, but nobody is on hand to convert!
• 51'

  Navas is found on the right-hand side once again, but Richardson stands up well to divert a cross behind for a corner with help from Demichelis. The hosts whip in their corner delivery, but the former Sunderland man is on hand again on the line to hack away a goal-bound header.
• 49'

  Vlaar heads away, after an early cross in from the right by Navas, as Man City look to kick on this side of the interval. The former Sevilla man whips in another delivery moments later, but Bacuna is able to cushion a header back to Guzan.
• 47'

  Silva picking up a booking for a rash tackle in the middle of the park, before getting involved again moments later. The Spaniard stabs a through ball into the path of Aguero, who is promptly shut out by Richardson. The former Fulham man is doing well.
• 46'

  Yellow CardDavid Silva
• 46'

  SubstitutionYaya Touré Fernandinho 
• 46'

  We are underway in the second half at the Etihad! Man City are ahead, but down to their opposition goalkeeper's inadequacies, rather than their own impressive play. Pellegrini needs to try and inspire a strong start to the next 45 minutes, with Villa only gaining confidence.
• HALF TIME! The hosts head into their dressing room with an unconvincing 1-0 lead over Villa, after Aguero was gifted the opening goal by Guzan. Sherwood's men grew into the game after the half-hour mark, with a few corners asking the home side some questions. Be sure to rejoin us in 10 minutes for the second-half action!
• 45'

  Navas beats Richardson and races down the right, before feeding Aguero down the line. The Argentine is forced back towards his own goal, before losing out in a battle in a central area. There is one minute of stoppage time.
• 43'

  Villa win another corner, this time on the right-hand side, with Toure not moving too well after appearing to tweak his hamstring slightly. The resulting set piece is cleared well by the hosts, before a second delivery into the box catches Benteka and Grealish offside.
• 41'

  We're into the final five minutes of the first half, with the home crowd getting rather restless. They are not seeing a good performance from their team, with Guzan's mistake seeming a long time ago now. Pellegrini's men need to try and find a new gear, and quickly.
• 39'

  Pellegrini's men just haven't been able to get hold of the ball for the past 15 mins, with the visitors stroking it around nicely. After a very poor start, the Midlands club are showing the reigning champions that they shouldn't be underestimated.
• 37'

  The second free-kick delivery is almost as bad as the first, with Hart remaining relatively carefree in the Man City goal. Villa are looking to more likely of the two sides to net the second goal, with less than 10 minutes of normal time remaining before the interval.
• 36'

  Villa pick up a free kick 30 yards from goal, after a clumsy push from Demichelis. Delph delivers, but sends the ball almost straight out of play for a corner. Okore does well to keep it in play, before being flattened by a clumsy challenge from Kolarov. Another dead-ball opportunity for the away team!
• 34'

  Lovely stuff from Villa! A one-touch passage of play brings Sherwood's men right upfield, before Grealish spends the ball out to the overlapping Bacuna. A cross is headed away by Kolarov, before moments later Benteke sends a looping header over the crossbar and out of harm's way.
• 32'

  Another wasted opportunity from Cleverley! Grealish dances through the heart of the Man City midfield, before stabbing a pass out to the overlapping former Manchester United man. He slips upon making contact with the ball, slamming a terrible effort wide of the target!
• 31'

  Cleverley lashes over from just inside the box! The Englishman is picked out by a cut back from Richardson, but can only fire a half-volleyed effort high, wide and straight into the stands behind Hart's goal.
• 30'

  Grealish looks to set Delph away down the left-hand side, but again the chemistry between the two doesn't look to be quite right. The young Irishman has a free role and has drifted into danger spaces, but is yet to provide a killer ball to worry the Citizens. Villa are, however, settling down.
• 28'

  Benteke attempts a shot from the right-hand side, but Hart is easily able to come out and collect the loose ball. The hosts are wondering why the Belgian striker wasn't offside moments later, after an attempted shot from Vlaar bobbled fortuitously to their man up top. He looked to be a few yards the wrong side of the home side's back four, but instead forces Hart into a close-range stop!
• 26'

  Navas drives to the right byline, but Richardson stands up well to block the eventual cross from the Spain international. Man City are seeing all of the ball, with Villa looking a shadow of the outfit which knocked Liverpool out of the cup at Wembley. Benteke attempts to break down the right, but Demichelis stands in well to turn the ball behind for a corner.
• 24'

  Benteke is nearly found by Delph on the left-hand side, but the former Genk forward is just struggling to make the ball stick to him whatsoever. Man City are creating all of the chances, with Villa only threatening from two set pieces thus far.
• 22'

  Navas sees a shot blocked, after a great move from left to right from Man City! The former Sevilla winger is having plenty of joy down this flank, with Bacuna initiating the danger for the visitors due to a terrible backpass from the former Groningen utility man. Sherwood's men look rattled.
• 21'

  Benteke manages to win a corner from Hart, with the away side threatening as a result! The delivery is whipped into the penalty box, with Yaya Toure doing just enough to prevent a chance for the visitors. The second ball into the area is headed high and wide by Benteke.
• 19'

  Benteke is found by a cross in from the right-hand side by Bacuna, but the Belgium international is penalised for starting in an offside position. Moments later, Man City attempt to break down the right flank themselves, but Navas is just unable to keep the ball in play.
• 17'

  A free kick is swung in from the left-hand side for Man City, with Guzan coming out to claim but missing the ball! Fernando capitalises, but heads well wide of the left-hand post! The goalkeeper is looking very nervy.
• 15'

  Guzan is rushed into a long clearance, with the American shot-stopper clearly affected by his earlier experience. Grealish is fed down the left-hand side, but a pass inside from the young midfielder is terrible and Mangala clears up the scraps - Delph just wasn't on the same wavelength.
• 13'

  Pellegrini is prowling his technical area already, though Man City have looked very comfortable in the opening quarter of an hour. The Citizens are happy to be patient and probe with the ball at their feet, while Villa have struggled to put together any meaningful passages of play at all.
• 11'

  Good challenge from Sanchez! The Colombia international slides in brilliantly to deny Aguero, as the former Atletico forward looked to vault his man and carve out a second goal. Moments later, the Argentina international sees a tame attempt easily smothered by Guzan.
• 9'

  Silva sees a lofted through pass blocked on the edge of the penalty area, with the former Valencia man claiming that a hand had been used to deny him - but the referee isn't interested. The hosts have started this game fairly brightly, with a few dangerous attacks to their name already.
• 7'

  Wide from Toure! The Man City captain tries his luck with a snapshot, but sends the ball beyond the right-hand post. Moments later, Zabaleta delivers a cross from the flank, but Okore heads the ball out of danger and behind for a corner. The set piece finds nobody in sky blue.
• 5'

  Every time that Guzan touches the ball, the home fans are keen to ironically cheer any completed pass, while chanting for Shay Given. Navas breaks down the right-hand side, before scampering into the box, but the Spaniard sees a shot deflected wide of the near post by Richardson.
• 3'

  GoalSergio Agüero
  GOOOOOOOOOAL! WHAT A MISTAKE FROM GUZAN! Vlaar passes the ball back his goalkeeper, before the US international slices a terrible pass straight to Aguero! The Argentine striker says thank you very much and slots an easy finish into an unguarded net! Madness from the Villa shot-stopper.
• 2'

  Vlaar tries to hook a lofted clearance up the line, but a timely block from Navas deflects the ball into Guzan's grasp. The American goalkeeper will enjoy an early touch of the ball, given that he played no part in Villa's FA Cup heroics.
• 1'

  We are underway in the first half at the Etihad! The hosts are in their usual sky blue, while Villa are in their away strip of white and claret. Man City need a win here this evening to ease any pressure on both themselves and their coach.
• Aston Villa substitutes: Weimann, Cole, Senderos, Cissokho, N'Zogbia, Given, Lowton.
• Aston Villa starting line-up (4-5-1): Guzan; Bacuna, Vlaar, Okore, Richardson; Cleverley, Westwood, Sanchez, Delph, Grealish; Benteke.
• Man City substitutes: Sagna, Milner, Dzeko, Caballero, Bony, Fernandinho, Boyata.
• Man City starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Mangala, Kolarov; Toure, Fernando; Navas, Lampard, Silva; Aguero.
• TEAM NEWS: Jack Grealish retains his place after a good performance against Liverpool last time out, with Carlos Sanchez bolstering a midfield five. Christian Benteke is a lone striker, while Tom Cleverley should be a conservative option on the right-hand side of midfield. Ron Vlaar is at the heart of the back four, with Leandro Bacuna slotting in at right-back. Kieran Richardson holds his position in the starting 11.
• TEAM NEWS: James Milner makes the bench for the home side, alongside the returning Wilfried Bony, but the likes of Samir Nasri, Vincent Kompany and Gael Clichy are still out due to injury. Pablo Zabaleta is preferred at right-back, while Alexandar Kolarov starts on the left. Martin Demichelis is partnered by Eliaquim Mangala in the heart of the defence, with Jesus Navas and Frank Lampard being given extended runs in the team.
• I'm Simon Harrison and I will be keeping you up to date with all of the action from the Etihad, as Manuel Pellegrini's men look to remove any memory of a forgettable start to 2015 with a few wins late in the campaign. Villa, meanwhile, come into this game unbeaten in three matches, recording timely results against both Spurs and Queens Park Rangers to ease the threat of relegation slightly.
• Hello and welcome to live coverage of Manchester City's home game against Aston Villa in the Premier League, with the visitors high on confidence given their recent progression into the FA Cup final. Tim Sherwood has proven himself to be a real catalyst for the Midlands club, while the Citizens are looking to try and secure Premier League football for next season. The hosts are currently six points ahead of fifth-placed Spurs with a game in hand.