Sunderland are on top at the Stadium of Light, with West Brom struggling to create very much in the final third. The Black Cats are looking dangerous down the right with Adam Johnson in decent form.

Manchester City continue to dominate and Samir Nasri tries his luck with a shot from the edge of the box which fails to test Brad Guzan.

BBC Sport's David Ornstein at Etihad Stadium

"Manchester City's call for a rousing atmosphere from their fans was not helped by torrential rain and a stadium half-empty at kick-off owing to traffic chaos outside the ground. But it's a near full-house now and the home supporters are in full voice, backing their team's title charge and chiding Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard for his costly slip against Chelsea. The downpours have now abated and it's allowing City to dominate Villa after a scrappy start."

Image source, Getty Images

Luke, via text: I am so proud to be a Sunderland fan right now! Di Canio was right on one thing, the players lacked fitness and fight, they never played as a team, difference being Di Canio couldn't change that. Poyet on the other hand has managed to take the individuals and build a TEAM,. Don't see Sunderland losing much for the next few seasons.

It's clear why Manchester City went for Aleksandar Kolarov rather than Gael Clichy tonight as the left full-back/winger drives another powerful cross into the box and David Silva is inches away from turning it past Brad Guzan. Is there a winger who puts in crosses with as much venom as Kolarov? Incidentally, Manchester City have had 77% possession so far.

Aston Villa are reduced to 10 men while Jordan Bowery receives treatment for a facial injury sustained in a clash with Aleksandar Kolarov. A quick change of shirt and the striker should be fine to continue.

French Ligue 1

French leaders Paris St-Germain were ready to party anyway tonight - but now the bubbly can be cracked open early.

Laurent Blanc's men, who are just about to kick off against Rennes at the Parc Des Princes, have been handed their second straight Ligue 1 title by Monaco's draw against relegation-threatened Guingamp.

Second-placed Monaco knew they needed to win in the principality to keep their slim title hopes alive - at least until PSG played.

Dimitar Berbatov briefly rekindled Monaco's faint hopes before Guingamp's Fatih Atik scored a late leveller. PSG would have wrapped up Ligue 1 anyway by beating Rennes, but Monaco's failure brought forward their triumph.

Peter Collins:, external City fans, don't worry. Messing up tonight really isn't your style. You'll blow it on Sunday, be patient!

A Karim:, external The way City have started, Villa have no chance. Just matter of time, me thinks

Lee Jackson:, external Looks like half the crowd have come in fancy dress, dressed as plastic seats.

City almost break the deadlock after a patient passing move. Eventually the ball is worked out to Pablo Zabaleta on the right, who pulls it back into a crowded penalty area. Yaya Toure is first to react but his low shot is turned wide by the foot of goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Gus Poyet punches the air on the touchline as Sunderland take a giant leap towards ensuring their Premier League survival. Marcos Alonso puts in a peach of a cross from the left and Jack Colback times his run from midfield to perfection to stab past Ben Foster. Bad news for Norwich, who are all but relegated if this scoreline remains the same.

There's a noisy expectation the moment Manchester City load up an attack down the right through Pablo Zabaleta. The latest move is halted when Aston Villa's two banks of four quickly get back into position, but it's clear the home supporters expect something to happen every time their Argentine full-back begins to venture forward.

Fabio Borini has had an heck of an impact at Sunderland, hasn't he? And the Italian almost scores another screamer with a powerful effort from 25 yards which is tipped over the bar by Ben Foster.

Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live

"It has been a decent start from City. They are not going gung-ho and as expected Villa will sit back and try to hit them on the break. Once City score it will end up up two or three though."

You can listen to updates from Etihad Stadium on BBC Radio 5 live.

Joesph Grimes:, external I am still in shock at what happened on Monday. Hopefully Villa can add to that shock tonight.

Anil Chana:, external If there is one team outside of the top six that could go to the Etihad and win, it's Villa. Played well versus the top sides.

A little bit of panic in the Aston Villa defence when Brad Guzan fails to get a decent punch on Aleksandar Kolarov's powerful cross but the visitors eventually manage to hack clear the danger.

There's little between the two sides early on, with Adam Johnson's floated cross from deep easily collected by a confident Ben Foster in the Baggies goal.

Robbie Savage
BBC Radio 5 live

"I think that should have been a penalty. I think Westwood went into the back of Silva and kicked him."

You can listen to updates from Etihad Stadium on BBC Radio 5 Live.

There are a lot of empty seats at the Etihad, with some fans running late because of local traffic problems. The rain is pouring but Manchester City have started on the front foot with Ashley Westwood lucky to get away with a clumsy challenge on David Silva just inside the penalty area.

Here we go then...issues at the top and bottom will become much clearer at the end of the next 90 minutes or so.

Match of the Day's Alan Shearer

"Judging by some results this season you would still not put a bet on the title race having another twist. It has to be Manchester City's now though doesn't it?

"At the other end, Sunderland were down, they were gone,. Somehow Gus Poyet has turned it round. As soon as he said they needed a miracle their performances have been brilliant."

You can watch Shearer on Match of the Day this evening on BBC One from 22:40 BST.