Premier League: Defending champions Manchester City fail to beat struggling Aston Villa
Erling Haaland pulled Manchester City's side to the lead five minutes after the second half commenced, but Jamaican Leon Bailey's 74th-minute equaliser saved Aston Villa from another defeat
Haaland, of courseThe Citizens were held to a 1-1 draw, and Erling Haaland scored his 10th goal in six games. He received a brilliant deep cross from Kevin De Bruyne at the right flank.
The Norwegian, already studded with two hat-tricks after he entered the Premier League, struck home with a clean volley. Bailey then converted Jacob Ramsey's low cross with his left foot.
De Bruyne made an attempt which hit the post, and Villa put up a strong defence against a series of attacks from the defending champions.
Villa boss Steven Gerrard was under immense pressure due to his side's weak start to the season, but they squeezed in a few chances that almost landed a second goal.
An offside flag was raised against their effort, but replays implied Philippe Coutinho may have been onside during the goal. The city is now in second place on 14 points, and Villa is 17th after securing four points from their opening six games.
Gerrard revealed that his approach was pragmatic this time. "Sometimes you've got to put more legs in the team, sacrifice certain technical levels, you have to take some space away and people in the team who can gain the ball and move forward with speed," stated the former Liverpool midfielder.
On the other hand, Guardiola blamed his team for not being "sharp enough close to goal."
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