Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester City

Aston Villa fell to a 2-1 defeat against Premier League leaders Manchester City in a clash which saw both sides reduced to 10 men.

John McGinn swept Villa ahead after just 20 seconds – registering the club’s second-fastest goal in Premier League history after Dwight Yorke’s 12-second header in September 1995.

Yet slick City levelled courtesy of the impressive Phil Foden before Rodrigo headed the visitors ahead in the 40^th minute at Villa Park.

John Stones saw red on the stroke of half-time following a late challenge on Jacob Ramsey, handing Villa hope of getting back into the encounter.

But the hosts were reduced to 10 men themselves just before the hour mark as Matty Cash was dismissed for two quickfire bookings, with Villa unable to force an equaliser as dominant City recorded a 10^th successive away league victory.

Defeat continues Villa’s unwanted recent record against City, now having lost 10 of the last 11 meetings and winless since 2013.

Villa will be looking to get back on track against midlands neighbours West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

Ramsey was handed a starting berth in Villa’s XI, the Academy graduate, 19, replacing Trezeguet in Dean Smith’s line-up, with the Egypt international having undergone successful knee surgery following his injury sustained against Liverpool last time out.

And it was Villa who got off to a dream start as Tyrone Mings sent a quick free-kick down the left channel, Stones failed to intercept, allowing Ollie Watkins to cross low for McGinn to sweep home from 10 yards.

Villa flew out of the traps, creating four shots at goal, before City gained a foothold in the encounter and dominated with some free-flowing attacking play, Riyad Mahrez testing Emi Martinez after 20 minutes.

The visitors were causing problems with their neat intricate passing and it was another well-worked move which drew them level, Foden receiving the ball before spraying it out to Mahrez, who fed the overlapping Bernardo Silva and he crossed for Foden to volley home from 10 yards.

Ramsey found the side-netting just before the half-hour mark following Ederson’s mis-placed goal-kick but City took the lead in the 40^th minute when Silva, claiming his second assist, crossed for Rodrigo to flick home a header.

There was more first-half drama to come as Stones saw red for a reckless challenge on Ramsey as he looked to surge clear near the halfway line, referee Peter Bankes showing red having checked the pitchside monitor following a VAR referral.

Smith introduced Keinan Davis at half-time but it was Villa who were also down to 10 men in the 57^th minute as Cash picked up two yellow cards in quick succession.

Ross Barkley and Anwar El Ghazi came off the bench as Villa looked to try and find an equaliser, with City still posing an attacking threat of their own.

With one goal separating the two sides, the encounter became stretched in the closing stages, Ezri Konsa superbly clearing the danger in the 84^th minute with Foden ready to pounce and convert Mahrez’s cross.

But, despite four minutes added time, it was City who ran out victors and claimed all three points.