Aston Villa v Man City LIVE: Premier League newest rating and aim updates as City behind once more

As it stands, City are heading for an NINTH defeat in TWELVE games.

If the Premier League started in November, City would be in the bottom three.

They have the second half to turn it around but it’s been uninspiring stuff again.

And it’s kicking off between Grealish and Martinez on the half-time whistle! Not sure why. We’ll see in a moment.

But Martinez was booked and Villa lead 1-0. Grealish is surrounded by Villa players, with more boos from the home fans, as he heads into the tunnel.

43 mins: CHANCE! City’s best chance of the game and it falls to their second-top goal-scorer this season. Josko Gvardiol led the break with a good burst from defence. He played wide to Grealish and carried on his run into the box. Grealish found the cross but Gvardiol headed over the bar from six yards.

Big moment.

40 mins: Villa almost played themselves into trouble but worked their way out of the press to release a counter. McGinn’s switch to Rogers almost worked but Lewis made a last-ditch challenge to prevent the break.

36 mins: Cash makes his third foul on Grealish. This time he can’t avoid punishment. The right back is booked.

Everything is going through Grealish and City should keep trying that route with Cash on a yellow card.

Grealish gets the ball again and is able to work his way into the box. His shot is straight at Martinez.

35 mins: What a chance again for Villa! From the corner, Grealish loses it and suddenly Villa have a 5 on 2. It’s led by McGinn, who looks overwhelmed by his options. He in the end takes too long and can’t find Duran.

City escape.

34 mins: Better from Man City, and Phil Foden. Last season’s player of the year, who has not scored this season, exchanges a one-two with Rico Lewis and breaks into the box. He looks for the far corner, but Martinez tips the curling effort wide.

29 mins: Jack Grealish is getting booed on his first proper return to Villa Park (he played three minutes as a sub but that was his only involvement in his three previous trips since joining City). He has been City’s outlet, with diagonal balls to the left, but Erling Haaland has been starved of service so far.

Villa’s goal, meanwhile, highlighted some of City’s problems, particularly the lack of a defensive midfielder. It has allowed Youri Tielemans to play defence-splitting passes. Villa have enjoyed City’s high defensive line, too, as Rogers and Duran did for the goal.

26 mins: This suits Villa now. They can sit in and soak up the City pressure before hitting Guardiola’s side on the counter. Emery’s team are being patient – looking for that moment to punish City in transition.

23 mins: Grealish has been City’s best player so far. He beats Cash to get into the box… but then slices his shot out for a throw-in…

The Villa fans enjoyed it. “What the f— was that?” they chant.

At least Grealish is trying. I’ve barely heard Phil Foden’s name so far.