Whack!

The game might be lacking goalmouth action but it certainly isn't missing any intensity.

Marc Roca is into the book for a tackle on Ollie Watkins. It looks late but VAR decide not to upgrade it to a red card.

Jay G: For a CM legend that Gerrard is, it's bizarre how Villa's central midfield is continually non-existent game after game.

Philippe Coutinho decides to turn on the sound effects as he's tripped by Rasmus Kristensen.

It looked like minimal contact but the Brazilian lets out a shriek before being awarded the decision.

It's a good area to deliver the free-kick into the box but Leeds clear their lines.

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's right to start Rodrigo ahead of Bamford. You want Bamford for the whole season, you don't want him to come back and break down because he is the talisman. Rodrigo was scoring goals before his injury. Maybe give Bamford the last half an hour if needed.

Leeds have had a few near flashes and nearly 70% of possession so far, but they are yet to record a shot on target.

That clinical edge is all that's missing.

Luis Sinisterra has looked bright but he's into the book after clipping the heels of John McGinn.

Not a lot of contact in that one but he knew what he was doing.

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's a matter of time before Leeds take the lead. Steven Gerrard is not happy, he keeps turning round to his coaching staff. Aston Villa haven't got going but Leeds have started really well.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at Elland Road

It's fast and frantic but with not too much composure out there. Both sides have nearly played themselves into trouble with underhit backpasses, but luckily for Villa Emiliano Martinez saved Ezri Konsa's blushes at one end before Illan Meslier did likewise at the other end when Liam Cooper's pass back was nearly a gift for Ollie Watkins.

Watkins and Philippe Coutinho have both had chances for the visitors, running at the home defence and shooting at goal but both were denied by Meslier.

For Leeds, Rodrigo and Luis Sinisterra have produced dangerous low crosses, which have just been unable to be converted, with Rodrigo also whistling a shot just past the post.

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

I don't understand how Konsa and Mings aren't engaging Rodrigo. One centre forward against two centre backs.

Image source, Getty Images

Rodrigo is fed the ball and he makes a yard before letting fly from just outside the area.

It's narrowly wide but Villa just backed off him there. Too easy.

Chance!

Leeds play from back to front with a touch of class.

Liam Cooper fizzes the ball into midfield and it's touched around the corner for the electric Luis Sinisterra.

His ball across the face of goal just evades Rodrigo. Inches from the opener.

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Leeds are on top, it's a bit of a stop start game, not many chances created. Leeds just need to test the goalkeeper.

Image source, Getty Images

Philippe Coutinho picks up the ball and pins his ears back.

He takes a couple of white shirts along with him for the ride but he can only produce a tame effort at goal and Illan Meslier is equal to it.

Now it's Villa's turn to have a go and Ollie Watkins forces Illan Meslier into a good save from a wide angle.

The Leeds keeper nearly parries the ball back into traffic but grabs hold of it at the second attempt.

Rodrigo is slipped in down the side and his ball across the face of goal is whipped in with some venom.

There's not a white shirt near the six-yard box but it was begging to be tapped in.

That got the home fans off their seats.

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag to Sky Sports: "It was a lack of belief. I'm surprised why we didn't bring that on the pitch. I have seen a different team, a different spirit and a different fight. We didn't have convincement. We were not brave in possession.

"It is always difficult to find out. The players know they can do better. If you don't fight then you have a problem against a team like Manchester City.

"This is definitely different [to Brentford]. We didn't run there. We wanted to today but didn't follow the priniciples. It was a lack of belief. I will show the team that we could have been front-footed. We win the ball then give it away for the first goal. We take wrong decisions in the transition afterwards. We don't follow the rules so we are undisciplined. It cannot happen. It is unacceptable.

"It is a process. It is one game. Maybe against other teams the problems would not come but against Manchester City they will. I want to change the head and the attitude from the team. There was a reaction in the second half. We were more brave and scored three goals. Only from mistakes you learn."

Nearly 10 minutes in and we're yet to see the first shot on target.

Both sides trying to box clever and not commit too many bodies forward early on.

Ludwig Augustinsson is into the book six minutes into his Aston Villa debut.

The full-back is late in a tackle on Rasmus Kristensen. He'll be walking on egg shells now.

Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to Sky Sports: "It was really good [in the first half]. We scored four goals and could have scored more. After half-time it was more difficult. It was a great victory, a great game, everyone was happy in the stadium and we enjoy it against our rivals. It was a good afternoon for us.

"In general it was really good how aggressive we were but of course when they have Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen they have quality. We were aware of the spaces and our players up front made the difference in the first half.

"We can win or lose but there are many things we can do better. Some players were not good today so they have to improve.

"Perfection doesn't exist, it's impossible. But we must try to look there. We did good, we can do better, many, many players had sloppy passes. This is not good. We have to be more consistent. In some areas we were still not good.

[Phil Foden] "His desire, how he runs, is the main thing. He deserves to play every time and then he has quality. He is a young player and it is a reality. He deserves everything.

[Erling Haaland] "It is. The numbers speak for himself. He has done this before here. It is not our way. Always we try to help him in our environment. We have this incredible sense that he always looks starving and is so competitive. The numbers are scary, honestly.

"He sees 10 players running without the ball with effort for each other so he wants to do it. They visualise it, they see it. It's why we have success in the last few years. Behind it is effort and desire to do it."

Just letting him know he's there.

Veteran midfielder Ashley Young leaves a little bit on Leeds' Marc Roca in the middle of the park.

Neither side managing to build any rhythm in the early stages.