Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester City

Leon Bailey’s superb sweeping finish secured Aston Villa an impressive 1-1 draw against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.

The Jamaica international raced on to Jacob Ramsey’s low cross to slam home a 74^th-minute equaliser and send Villa Park into raptures.

The leveller cancelled out Erling Haaland’s second-half opener from close range, his 10^th league goal in the first six games, before substitute Philippe Coutinho found the net only to be denied a winner by the offside flag.

Steven Gerrard’s well-organised side showed an abundance of spirit, heart and, crucially, concentration to restrict a dominant City side who, having won four of the last five league titles, hit the crossbar courtesy of the lively Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick.

Villa twice ran City close last season and will gain huge confidence from their first point against them since 2015, ending a run of nine successive defeats in their last meetings in all competitions.

The Villans, who were applauded from the field by the home faithful, will now be looking to build upon the point when they travel to Leicester City next weekend.

Douglas Luiz, who netted his second goal of the season against Arsenal in midweek, was named in Villa’s starting line-up as head coach Gerrard made just one change from the side which started at Emirates Stadium.

Deadline-day signing Jan Bednarek was included on the bench but there was no place in the matchday 20 for fellow new arrival Leander Dendoncker, who was struggling with a throat complaint ahead of the fixture.

Kyle Walker blazed over a clear opening for the visitors after four minutes before De Bruyne fired wide from the edge of the penalty area.

The hosts were forced into a change after 27 minutes as Matty Clash hobbled off, to be replaced by Ashley Young.

And it was fantastic defensive work from Young, racing back to dispossess De Bruyne, which set up a swift Villa counter-attack that saw Ollie Watkins’ low strike deflected narrowly wide by John Stones.

City dominated the bulk of the play and possession in the first period but the home side restricted the visitors’ openings and posed a greater threat of their own as the half wore on.

Yet Pep Guardiola’s side opened the scoring with the game’s first shot on target five minutes after the break, Haaland rising from merely yards out to side-foot home De Bruyne’s well-placed deep cross to the back post.

Villa created a clear-cut opening in the 58^th minute, Ramsey winning the ball in a dangerous area and playing a one-two with Watkins but the 21-year-old’s first touch, when through on goal, was smothered by an approaching Ederson.

Emi Martínez reacted quickly to thwart Haaland’s turn and shot before De Bruyne clipped the top of the crossbar with a 20-yard free-kick.

Villa No.1 Martínez was again alert to parry from Haaland while De Bruyne flashed wide from eight yards.

And the hosts capitalised with 16 minutes remaining as Bailey raced on to Ramsey’s low cross from the left to connect with a fierce finish which gave Ederson no chance.  

Coutinho fired into the net from the edge of the area off the underside of the crossbar, only to be denied by the assistant referee’s offside flag.

Rodri drilled narrowly wide and Martínez denied Phil Foden late on as Villa claimed a hard-fought point which ensured they left the pitch to wide acclaim from the home supporters.