Henry:, external Makes me laugh when fans slate a side like Villa for playing defensively against City - do you even know what tactics are? Sigh

Matthew Vins:, external Re: Andy at 18:32 - Villa buck the trend of tiring with no possession. We rarely have 40%, and beat Liverpool with 25%

That is the last involvement from Andreas Weimann. He is withdrawn and Christian Benteke, out with a torn Achilles since April, makes his return to action. He gets a big welcome from the home fans.

Andreas Weimann gets his head to a swirling delivery from Tom Cleverley but can only direct his glancing effort wide of the far post.

The game has cranked up a notch since half-time. There could be a big finish brewing, especially with Christian Benteke warming up on the sidelines.

It has the feel of Villa's late win over Chelsea last season, when Fabian Delph flicked home the only goal in the 82nd minute and Ramires was dismissed.

Image source, Getty Images

Fernandinho has come down awkwardly on his ankle as he jumped to contest a header. As he limps to the sidelines, Frank Lampard gets his gear off and is introduced into the action.

BBC Radio

BBC Radio Manchester summariser Fred Eyre at Villa Park: "This is very worrying, Aston Villa are going through the Man City midfield far too easily. There is too large a gap between Yaya Toure and Fernandinho. And now Fernandinho seems to be indicating he wants to come off. Even if he wasn't injured I would bring Frank Lampard on."

Give it, give it, GIVE IT! Charles N'Zogbia's twisting and turning run on the break, sucks in defenders, leaving Andreas Weimann begging for the ball in glorious isolation outside him. The pass never comes though and Vincent Kompany slides in to take the ball and snuff out the counter-attack.

BBC Radio

BBC Radio Manchester summariser Fred Eyre at Villa Park: "Sergio Aguero doesn't usually miss in those situations. I was just waiting for the inside net to ripple, it didn't, and it came back out off the post.

"A great start to the second half of the game. If City keep this up, surely it is only a matter of time before Villa crack."

Image source, Reuters

Now we have. David Silva spins sharply in the box, getting off a shot between the legs of a defender. An unsighted Brad Guzan is equal to it though, getting down to paw the ball away to safety.

Chance, big chance! Sergio Aguero clean through from James Milner's sliderule pass and the Argentine tries to measure his finish as accurately. His side-foot effort smacks against the foot of the post though and we still have not had a shot on target.

Stavros Makrozachopo:, external What happened to Paul Lambert of Norwich with the attacking, aggressive football? Ultra defensive now, ultra cautious. Shame

Andy John:, external Dzeko and Aguero seem to lack a bit of chemistry at times. Both notch fairly regularly but are they good for the team together?

Andy Kidd:, external Villa to tire, Silva to find a yard and Agüero to nick it for city. 60:40 possession will take its toll

We are back up and running.

Image source, AFP

Vincent Kompany is the kind of guy you admire whoever you support isn't he? The City skipper slaps Edin Dzeko and Yaya Toure on the back as he gees up his team-mates on his way back out onto the Villa Park pitch.

Steve Huish, Surbiton: Amazing City may not have scored and Toure not playing well but City still retain 69% possession.

Tony Cocozza: Might as well hand the title to Chelsea now. The rest are nowhere near.

Image source, AP

Good shout George Hill.

Nathan Baker has been a great big Ron Vlaar-style rock at the back.

The Villa defender has made 11 clearances in the first half - five more than any other player on the pitch. He also leads his side in interceptions, making five so far.

Karl Cobane:, external Edin Dzeko should have a hat-trick by now, but he will score one in the second half, and everyone will forget about the misses as usual.

Ijaz: , externalGood pressure from Man City, have to keep this up in the second half. Three important points at stake before Chelsea's big game tomorrow.

George Hill:, external Nathan Baker having a cracker so far.

Join the debate on #bbcfootball on Twitter,, external 81111 on text (UK only), or via the BBC Sport Facebook page, external and Google+ pages., external

Image source, Getty Images

Any department stores with a Santa vacancy? Put this man in your grotto and watch the spoilt kids which make Christmas shopping even more stressful put back on the straight and narrow.

West Brom were beaten 2-1 by Liverpool at Anfield this afternoon, with goals from Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson, either side of a Saido Berahino penalty, consigning them to defeat...

West Brom midfielder Craig Gardner: , externalThought we battled very well today unlucky not to get a result. The fans were class as usual have a safe trip back.

BBC Sport's Chris Bevan at Villa Park

"The first half has largely been about Manchester City's attack against Aston Villa's defence but the visitors are yet to find way through Villa's determined back-line - for all of City's possession and pressure they are yet to force Brad Guzan into a save.

"Villa boss Paul Lambert has spent most of the first 45 minutes on the touchline yelling encouragement to his players, like them he could probably do with a sit-down at half-time."

Image source, AFP

Twelve shots, but not one that Brad Guzan has had to dirty his gloves on. City need to sharpen their focus in the second half.