Postpublished at 18 mins

18 mins

Manchester City 0-0 Aston Villa

He's really struggling, Kyle Walker. He plays a backpass and pulls up badly.

Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, James Maddison, Mason Mount - Gareth Southgate could have a midfield headache this summer/whenever they play next.

Kyle Walker gets a knee in the buttocks and is limping away. Dead leg?

City have so many touches in the opposition area. Everyone else gets near the goal and gets the ball in, City are happy to pass it about looking for the smallest of gaps.

Phil Foden has a shot blocked, so does Rodri and so does Joao Cancelo. Tyrone Mings then slides in to clear another low ball in.

It's not staying 0-0 for long.

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

10 minutes and this game is already end to end. We are definitely going to get goals tonight!

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

You could probably hear Ross Barkley's howl of anguish back in Birmingham when his pass to Grealish was easily cut out.

Ahhhhhhhh! Villa have a three on three break, Ross Barkley runs through the middle, Ollie Watkins to his left, Jack Grealish to his right.

Grealish is the ball, Barkley sees it but it's tentative and cut out.

Frustrating for the visitors.

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Foden is a special player, and he is showing it this season. I'm really looking forward to seeing him and Grealish tonight

Literal.

Rohan Johnson: Even though John Stones has been really good, let's not ignore Ruben Dias. That man has been a literal brick wall in defence.

Guy Mowbray reckons the rain has got even heavier. No signs of the pitch being in any trouble at the moment though.

Phli Foden then shows nimble footwork to dance inside from the left and hit a shot which is well blocked away.

The signs are good for a bright game as Villa's first attack is a sharp one. Ross Barkley pings it out to Bertrand Traore, who leaves Joao Cancelo so easily and drives into the area. He's trying to get it on to his left foot and in the end Ruben Dias makes the challenge.

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's a great save, but really and truly Silva should not be making him save it. Martinez spread himself so well, and then brave defending from Cash and Mings as well.

So nearly 1-0! A City corner is headed back in, Emi Martinez doesn't come for it, stays on his line and makes a superb save from Bernardo Silva who was only about a yard out!

City nearly fire in the rebound but Tyrone Mings defends superbly in his own goalmouth to get it clear.

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Sterling on's the right and Foden is on the left, so it looks like Silva in the false nine role, but that could change and that's why City are so good at the moment.

City win a free-kick, Kevin de Bruyne whips in a superb ball and Matt Targett heads it away from just in front of John Stones.

It's Bernardo Silva, no Raheem Sterling, no Kevin de Bruyne who is the most central attacker - no it's Sterling.

A very fluid City attack.

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's going to be difficult, when Villa have not played game to game like City have it will be hard. Having Barkley fit is a huge boost, City are favourites but I'd never rule out Villa.

We're off.

Image source, BBC Sport

All set?

A reminder that a win takes City top, for a few hours at least.

Interesting definition of 'rested' but I take your point. We really have no idea how the Villa players are going to handle this. Dean Smith himself said he's not sure.

Here they come!