The 2023/24 Premier League season is under way and you can follow every game and every goal right here with The Independent.
This year sees Manchester City try to defend their crown and claim a historic fourth title in succession. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City, who also won the Champions League and FA Cup last season, will have to see off Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and the rest to claim an unprecedented sixth league title in seven years.
Meanwhile Luton Town are making their first appearance in the Premier League, having risen from non-league in an incredible decade of progress. They followed Championship winners Burnley and second-placed Sheffield United in earning promotion to the top flight.
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
Aston Villa FC 1 – 0 Manchester City FC
Aston Villa’s masterful win proves how vulnerable Manchester City truly are
22:26 , Mike Jones
Even as Aston Villa turned back time to the Great Depression, they have rarely been happier. Unai Emery made club history as he established a belated first in his career. As Villa equalled a club record of 14 straight home league wins, last set in 1930-31, Emery finally beat Pep Guardiola, at the 14th time of asking. In the process, they sent the treble winners down to fourth, Villa leapfrogging them. Emery may try to ignore talk of the Champions League, but no Villa side of the 21st century has looked as capable of securing a top-four finish. Carry on like this and this one could yet challenge for the title.
But for Guardiola and City, these are strange, disconcerting times. The Catalan said he had the feeling they will retain the title, but it is feeling harder for a side on their longest winless run in six-and-a-half years or for one who were outplayed by the upstart challengers from the Midlands. Villa had 22 shots to City’s two, a sign of a startling level of dominance against the champions. A fourth match without victory ended a run of three draws and came with the rare sight of City reeling: they had survived wave after wave of Villa attack but just when it seemed Emery’s statement of intent may still result in a stalemate, the electric Leon Bailey delivered the goal his excellence and ebullience deserved.
Aston Villa’s masterful win proves how vulnerable Manchester City truly are
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
22:16
Villa’s winning run at home continues as they shine in a 1-0 victory over City. It was a magnificent performance by Emery’s man from start to finish, with City not knowing what hit them. Villa had 13 shots alone in the first half, the most against a Guardiola team in Europe’s big five leagues, with Ederson having to make big saves to keep his side in it. Martinez also made a brilliant double save to deny Haaland, which were City’s only shots in the whole match. It took until the 74th minute for the deadlock to be broken, with Bailey’s deflected shot wrongfooting Ederson. Luiz also hit the post late on with a long-range strike. It’s a huge win for the Villans as it lifts them above City into third, and they have another big game at home against Arsenal on Saturday. It’s now four without a win in the league for City, who are six points off leaders Arsenal. They travel to Luton Town at the weekend. That’s all for today, goodbye!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
22:10
FULL-TIME: ASTON VILLA 1-0 MANCHESTER CITY.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
22:09
City are getting desperate as their search for an equaliser goes on. Stones put his laces through a clearance and it ends up being a good pass to Bobb. He touches it into Kovacic, who dawdles instead of putting in a cross before tripping over the ball.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
22:07
City have only kept one clean sheet in their last nine Premier League matches (14 goals conceded), conceding in all five of their league games since the start of November.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
22:05
Substitution Oliver George Arthur Watkins Jhon Jader Durán Palacio
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
22:05
Substitution Lucas Digne Alexandre Moreno Lopera
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
22:03
City take the free-kick quickly, with Akanji sliding it through to Dias, who is playing on the left wing at the moment. He whips a cross in, but Martinez stretches to hold onto it.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
22:02
OFF THE POST! The space opens up nicely for Luiz on the edge of the box, and he tries his luck from range once more. Ederson is beaten by the curl, but it rattles the far post before bouncing back into play.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
22:01
Yellow Card Boubacar Bernard Kamara
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
22:00
Villa are actually going to make a double change here. Bailey is going off after receiving treatment, with Diaby on for him.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
22:00
Dias kicks Bailey on the calf as he wins the ball back, and the goalscorer goes down in a heap. He needs to receive treatment again, and Emery might take him off this time just to be safe.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:59
Substitution Youri Marion A. Tielemans Jacob Matthew Ramsey
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:57
SAVE! Haaland draws a foul from Carlos and City have a free-kick down the left. Silva takes it and whips it towards the near post despite the tight angle. Luckily for Villa, nobody gets a touch and Martinez can hold onto it.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:55
Bailey stayed down after the scramble, but he’s back on his feet after treatment. Villa have a corner which is swung in by Digne, but Haaland is fouled as he clears his lines.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:54
GREAT SAVE! City are all over the place at the back! Watkins pokes a shot on goal and Stones’ block loops up into the air invitingly for Luiz. Ederson had started to dive, but recovers quickly to get across and smother the Brazilian’s chance at the far post.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:53
City want a quick response to going behind, and they’re back to dominating possession once more. They’re keeping it well up to the final third, which is where things just aren’t going their way.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:49
Assist Youri Marion A. Tielemans
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:48
Goal Leon Patrick Bailey Butler
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:48
Another change for City here as 20-year-old Bobb comes on to replace Foden.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:48
The City fans find their voice again to urge their team upfield. Nunes listens to them, lifting a good cross towards Gvardiol at the far post, but his first touch takes the ball straight out of play.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:45
City haven’t managed a single shot in this game since Martinez was forced into a double save to deny Haaland in the 11th minute. The Norweigan has struggled as well, having only 12 touches so far.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:43
And Kovacic is also coming on in place of Alvarez.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:43
Guardiola has seen enough and is bringing on two midfielders in an attempt to give them a bit more control in the middle of the park. Lewis is the first to go off, with Nunes replacing him.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:43
The Villa fans are on their feet and the volume inside the stadium is rising as Bailey wins another corner with a deflected shot. The delivery is poor by Luiz this time, but the visitors lose possession quickly again.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:41
Villa are starting to find their rhythm again, and it’s forcing City back deeper into their own box. Kamara spins away from Lewis so he can switch it out to Digne, who squares it to McGinn, but his cross clears everyone.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:39
WIDE! Silva’s first-time pass is loose as he plays out from the back and it’s cut out by Watkins. He touches it through to McGinn, who sees the space open up in front of him. Ederson rushes out, so he curls it towards goal early, but it rolls agonisingly wide of the far post.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:37
Luiz whips a good delivery in from the corner and it bounces awkwardly in front of Watkins, meaning he doesn’t hit the volley cleanly. Every City attempt at a clearance loops up into the air, keeping the pressure on until Dias hooks it away.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:34
Yellow Card Oliver George Arthur Watkins
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:34
Bailey gets too tight to Gvardiol, giving away a free-kick in a good position on the left. Silva swings a tempting cross into the six-yard box, but none of his team-mates get on the end of it.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:33
It may have been City dominating possession, but Villa are intent on making the most of it when they do get the ball. Bailey twists away from Gvardiol to square it to Luiz. He’s forced to rush his shot, and the deflection takes the power off it.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:31
City work it forward in a couple of touches from Walker’s throw-in, with Haaland threading it through to Foden. He peels off the back of Carlos before firing on goal from a tight angle. Martinez gets two hands behind it as a belated offside flag goes up.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:27
Yellow Card Rico Henry Mark Lewis
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:27
Villa haven’t lose any of the 13 Premier League games under Emery that have been level at half-time, winning nine of those and drawing the other four.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:26
Watkins intercepts Akanji’s pass, sweeping it out to Digne on the left before continuing his run into the box. The Frenchman tries to return it to him, but Dias gets in the way of the cross.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:24
City have dominated possession since the restart and they’re looking to break Villa down early here. They patiently work it out to the right, but Walker has a slight tug at Digne to lose him, resulting in a free-kick to the hosts.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:21
Villa get us back under way for the second half!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:15
It was almost a perfect first-half performance by Villa, with only a goal missing to cap it off. Emery will be urging them to keep up their high level as it’s rattled City, causing them a lot of problems. Guardiola’s men made a lot of uncharacteristic mistakes, which is something the manager will be looking to rectify. He may even look to his bench to add something different, especially since Villa comfortably won the battle in midfield.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:09
It’s goalless at the break between Villa and City, though how there haven’t been any goals is anyone’s guess! The hosts have been brilliant, keeping City under pressure, and forcing Ederson into some great saves to keep out Bailey, Torres, McGinn and Watkins. Luiz thought he had broken the deadlock just before the break with a header that just crept in, but it was disallowed as the ball was out of play in the build-up. At the other end, Martinez made an excellent double save to keep out Haaland, but those were City’s only chances.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:05
HALF-TIME: ASTON VILLA 0-0 MANCHESTER CITY.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:04
City are looking to score right on half-time as Silva picks out another good cross from the right. Konsa attempts to clear it but completely misses the ball. His movement was enough to put Foden off behind him though.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:03
NO GOAL! Watkins is forced wide by McGinn’s pass but he still gets a shot away with Ederson smothers. Villa keep it alive through Digne, who clips it into Luiz, and his header skims the inside of the post on the way in. His celebrations are cut short by a flag, which is up because the ball went out of play before the cross was put in.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
21:00
Yellow Card John Stones
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:59
To avoid having to work through Villa’s aggressive midfield once more, Walker pings another good pass over the top. Alvarez’s first touch lets him down as he shows too much of it to Konsa, who clears the danger with ease.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:58
OVER! City don’t look anything like their usual selves here as they sloppily keep giving the ball away in their own half. Akanji is the latest to do so, gifting it to Luiz, but he blazes his long-range shot just over the bar.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:56
Alavrez’s heavy pass it cut out by Bailey, and he plays a one-two with Luiz to open up some space down the right. It gets a bit crowded in the City box as the visitors flood back into their box and Konsa overhits the cross.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:55
Villa have already had 11 shots in this match, the joint-most by a team in the first half of a Premier League games against City under Guardiola. Emery will be keen to turn those chances into goals soon though, especially while they’re still on top.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:52
Digne and Walker collided as they both tried to win the ball back, and he stays down holding his ribs. He receives treatment but is quickly back up to continue.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:51
City are looking very shaky at the back. Moments after Gvardiol’s pass was blocked, Walker plays a loose backpass to Ederson. Watkins is hovering and just misses it. Walker looks extremely relieved!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:50
WHAT A BLOCK! Ederson comes right off his line to play out from the back, and his pass deflects off Bailey, straight to Tielemans’ feet. He’s setting himself to shoot and Gvardiol slides in with a perfect tackle to stop him from picking out the back of the empty net.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:48
CHANCE! Villa work it brilliantly upfield, starting with Martinez all the way out to Digne on the left. He squares his cross into the near post where Bailey makes a late run, but he blazes it over the bar.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:48
Akanji plays the reverse pass into Alvarez on the left of the box, and he fizzes a dangerous low cross into the middle for Haaland to attack. Torres beats him to it, lifting it over his bar, but the flag was up anyway.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:46
CHANCE! Villa win a free-kick on the left, and McGinn is doing his best to put Ederson off as he hovers in front of the goalkeeper, much to his frustration. Luiz clips it in as the Scotsman moves, and Konsa darts in to take his place, but thumps his header over the bar.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:44
It’s lovely footwork from Bailey, who leaves Stones in a bit of a twist as he tries to track him to the byline. The Jamaican has two to aim for in the middle, but his cross is too deep for either of them.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:43
Carlos’ long ball forces Watkins out wide to the left this time, but he does well to hold off two City players. He spins before trying to put a cross in only to hit it straight against Stones.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:41
Villa’s first corner results in a quick second, and City only half-clear their lines once more. It’s worked out to McGinn on the edge of the D, but he curls his shot straight down the middle at Ederson.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:39
GOOD SAVE! Konsa spots Bailey in a pocket of space through the middle, and he chooses to go it alone from range despite having options on either side. It’s a good hit, too, forcing Ederson to push it over with a strong hand.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:37
City are starting to find their rhythm now as Walker goes for a big switch out to Foden. He starts the move to help it back out to the right, and Stones trips over the ball before he can put a cross in.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:36
It’s a vital block from Kamara to stop Foden from getting through, but City just switch it out to Silva on the right. He clips a good cross into the far post where Foden is now waiting, but he completely misses the ball on the volley.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:34
It’s Carlos who decides to lift one over the top this time, with Watkins getting in front of Dias to bring it down. He tries to pick out McGinn in support, but the pass is too high, and it bounces awkwardly off the captain’s hip.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:32
City are struggling to find space in midfield to pass their way forward, so Dias decides to go long this time, spotting Alvarez’s run off the back of Carlos. He sets off too early though, and the flag goes straight up.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:30
It’s end-to-end stuff here at the moment as Villa mount their latest attack. Dias does well to get in front of Bailey to stop him from bringing it down, and Stones is there to flick it away from Watkins, who was following in.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:28
DOUBLE SAVE! Foden wriggles through a small gap before sliding it through to Haaland in the box. He’s one-on-one with Martinez, but his shot across goal is parried. Silva clips it back to the Norweigan, who thumps a header on goal from close range, but the keeper gets behind that one too.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:25
City’s last four defeats have all come without Rodri featuring in the game at all. Indeed, they’re unbeaten in their last 43 games in which the Spaniard has played (W33 D10).
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:23
GREAT SAVE! City can’t clear their lines from the corner and McGinn takes it off Foden’s toe on the edge of the box. He tees up Torres, who stayed onside, and he curls a shot towards the far post, but Ederson gets a strong hand to it.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:23
SAVE! Villa are well on top in the opening exchanges here, and McGinn curls a superb early cross out to Bailey on the right. He’s got acres of space as he takes it into the box, but he can’t get any power on the shot, which Ederson gets down to push wide.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:20
WIDE! McGinn does wonderfully to shake off Lewis and then Stones before poking it out to Digne as Alvarez comes up behind him. The left-back’s first touch takes him into space, but he blasts his shot into the side netting.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:19
Kamara weaves away from Alvarez to set Villa on their way up the pitch and he tries to lift it over the top for Watkins to chase. It’s too close to Ederson though, and the keeper comes to collect it.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:17
Alvarez gets the game under way for City!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:14
The teams are out on the pitch now, with kick-off just moments away!
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:11
Guardiola makes two changes to the side that drew with Spurs on Sunday, and they’re both enforced. Stones is back from injury to line up alongside Akanji in midfield, with Lewis also being brought in. Jeremy Doku is injured, while Rodri is suspended along with Jack Grealish after both received their fifth bookings of the season in that game. Nunes is back on the bench after passing a late fitness test.
20:11
There is just one change by Unai Emery from their draw with Bournemouth last time out. Kamara is back from a ban, so he comes straight back in to partner Watkins up top. Zaniolo drops to the bench.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:07
MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Mateo Kovacic, Nathan Ake, Kalvin Phillips, Sergio Gomez, Matheus Nunes, Scott Carson, Stefan Ortega, Oscar Bobb.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
20:03
MANCHESTER CITY STARTING XI (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol; John Stones, Manuel Akanji; Bernardo Silva, Rico Lewis, Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden; Erling Haaland.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
19:59
ASTON VILLA SUBS: Jacob Ramsey, Moussa Diaby, Nicolo Zaniolo, Filip Marschall, Alex Moreno, Jhon Duran, Leander Dendoncker, Clement Lenglet, Matty Cash.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
19:59
ASTON VILLA STARTING XI (4-4-2): Emiliano Martinez; Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne; Leon Bailey, Youri Tielemans, Douglas Luiz, John McGinn; Boubacar Kamara, Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
19:55
As for City, they’re looking to keep pace with the top of the table, and after Arsenal’s win yesterday, they can close the gap back to three points with a win here. Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in their last nine matches in all competitions (W6 D3), but they’ve drawn their last three in the league, dropping leads in all of those games against Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham. They’ve not had a winless run that long since 2017, and they’ll be looking to get back to winning way here.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
19:51
Villa have made a flying start to the season, starting the day (fourth) in the table, with the opportunity to leapfrog today’s opponents with a win here. They’ve lost just one of their last 12 games in all competitions (W9 D2), prolonging that run by coming from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Bournemouth at the weekend. They’ve struggled against City in recent times though, failing to win any of their last 13 Premier League games against them (D2 L11). However, they’re currently on a 13-match winning run at home, the longest such run in the division.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
19:47
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Premier League meeting between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Villa Park!
Aston Villa vs Man City line-ups
19:21 , Mike Jones
Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Konsa, Diego Carlos, Torres, Digne; McGinn, Kamara, Douglas Luiz, Tielemans, Bailey; Watkins
Man City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Stones, Lewis; Foden, Bernardo, Alvarez; Haaland
CITY! 👊
XI | Ederson, Walker (C), Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol, Stones, Lewis, Foden, Bernardo, Alvarez, Haaland
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Carson, Phillips, Ake, Kovacic, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/rQaS5aR8Xq
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 6, 2023
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
19:15
Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
