Manchester City face Aston Villa in the Premier League tonight, with both sides looking to land a potentially vital blow in the race for Champions League qualification.
City start the week in the qualification spots after last weekend’s 2-0 win over Everton, though they are only a point ahead of seventh-placed Villa with five games left to play.
While Pep Guardiola’s side have favourable fixtures as they look to book a place in the top five, a win tonight could be key against an in-form Villa side.
And Unai Emery’s team – who face a more difficult path to make it back to Europe’s top cup competition – will be buoyed by recent performances as they look to leapfrog City for now.
Follow all the latest build-up, team news and updates from the Etihad below:
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21 mins: It’s game on now. Jacob Ramsey was smart in winning the spot kick and it has truly annoyed the Manchester City squad, fans and support staff.
The hosts try to play in Marmoush with chip over the top but Martinez manages to close him down.
GOAL! Man City 1-1 Aston Villa (Marcus Rashford, 18′)
Pep Guardiola, Ruben Dias and a handful of Manchester City players are incandescent over the decision to award a penalty and the City boss earns himself a yellow card.
Marcus Rashford steps up to the spot and rolls the ball into the bottom right corner with Stefan Ortega diving in the opposite direction.
All square.
Man City 1-0 Aston Villa
15 mins: A potential penalty for Aston Villa.
Jacob Ramsey goes on a run into the box and is clipped by Ruben Dias who, to be fair to him, is trying to avoid the contact.
Regardless the VAR calls the referee over to the monitor, he reviews the incident then points to the spot!
Penalty to Aston Villa!
Man City 1-0 Aston Villa
13 mins: Matheus Nunes looks to sneak in behind out wide on the right wing.
A long ball comes over to him but he can’t keep it in play despite an outstretched attempt to control the ball.
The goal seems to have settled the hosts down. They’re pressing high up the pitch and making it tough for Villa to play out from the back.
‘One of Bernardo Silva’s finest goals’
“One of Bernardo Silva’s finest City goals came against Villa. Perhaps one of the most important has done now.
“Emi Martinez arguably should have saved his shot, instead of pushing it over the line.
“All that after Villa, who scored after 33 seconds against Newcastle, hit the post after 18.
“They like a fast start and yet find themselves 1-0 down.”
Man City 1-0 Aston Villa
10 mins: City are up to third in the Premier League as things stand and it seems as though they’ll secure their spot in Europe’s top flight soon enough.
Villa have a poor record here and going behind so early isn’t a good sign for them.
GOAL! Man City 1-0 Aston Villa (Bernardo Silva, 7′)
City try to assert some control on the game. Omar Marmoush brings down a cross field pass and drives into the box.
He pokes the ball into the middle where a deflection touches the ball into the path of Bernardo Silva.
The City midfielder rattles a shot at goal, Emi Martinez dives low and gets a strong hand to the ball but it beats the Argentine and rolls into the back of the net.
Man City 0-0 Aston Villa
3 mins: Villa have been playing well of late and come into the match on the back of a big win over Newcastle to help their prospects of a top four finish.
Jacob Ramsey goes on a run down the right side and feeds the ball to Matty Cash.
He sends a low cross into the box and City have to clear their lines again.
Kick off! Man City 0-0 Aston Villa
Crazy start! Aston Villa get the match underway and send the ball long.
A Man City clearance is knocked into the midfield where Villa win the ball and touch it up to Youri Tielemans.
He feeds it to Marcus Rashford who weaves around Ruben Dias then laces a shot past Stefan Ortega and strikes the far post!
Man City vs Aston Villa
Here come the teams.
The players make their way out onto the pitch at the Etihad Stadium. The result here could have big implications on the race to secure Champions League spots.
Villa are also in the FA Cup at the weekend but they need to make sure they push on in the Premier League to get themselves into the top four. A win tonight propels them up to fourth.
City are currently fifth and will drop out of the Champions League spots if they lose.
Kick off is up next…