After watching Liverpool drop factors away at Goodison Park earlier within the day, Manchester Metropolis would have been determined to widen their buffer over their essential title rivals.

Nevertheless, throwing away the lead and finally having to accept a 1-1 draw away at Aston Villa on Saturday night, Pep Guardiola’s facet additionally missed out on the prospect to briefly climb to the highest of the desk.

Whereas the red-hot Erling Haaland might need continued on his exceptional begin to life within the Premier League, Leon Bailey’s great strike quarter-hour from the tip clinched a much-welcomed level for Steven Gerrard.

Two sides who opened this weekend’s fixtures battling it out at reverse ends of the desk, what did we study from Saturday’s affair at Villa Park?

Pep’s defensive headache continues

Storming their solution to a stellar 6-0 romp towards Premier League returners Nottingham Forest earlier within the week, Guardiola had made it clear that he needed his facet to construct off of that defensive show.

Nevertheless, whereas the English heavyweights could be tipped as a standout choose to as soon as once more defend their home crown this season, the ex-Barcelona boss could have considerably of a headache over his facet’s prolonged struggles on the again.

Regardless of mounting a few of their trademark comebacks towards each Crystal Palace and Newcastle over latest weeks, Metropolis are gaining a status for his or her defensive shortcomings.

With their latest struggles highlighted by that action-packed 3-3 draw away at St. James’ Park on August twenty first, Saturday’s company have now recorded only a single clear sheet from their earlier 4 Premier League outings.

Though Guardiola may seem to have chosen Ruben Dias and John Stones as his first alternative central defensive partnership, it’s clear that the Sky Blues are searching for some much-needed stability on the again.

Gerrard will get the response he was determined for

Ultimately getting hit with a 2-1 loss away at a high-flying Arsenal earlier within the week, followers round Villa Park have been actually anticipating the worst when Guardiola’s superstars arrived on the town right here.

Though Gerrard may discover nonetheless discover actual stress on his shoulders, the previous Rangers boss ought to be boosted by a gritty show from his downbeat squad on Saturday night.

At the very least briefly discovering a route out of the bottom-three, Villa should discover a solution to show that their show right here was one thing that they will use as a platform to construct off of.

With the ex-Liverpool icon as soon as once more making the decision to change his XI following Wednesday’s 2-1 loss towards the Gunners in north London, there isn’t a doubt that Saturday’s show has introduced Gerrard a while.

Nevertheless, though Villa might need been greater than deserving of their 1-1 draw right here, they’ve nonetheless managed to muster only a single Premier League victory from their opening six appearances.

It’s Haaland’s Golden Boot to lose

Though Guardiola might need rising issues over his facet’s latest struggles on the again, followers across the Etihad will probably be boosted by Haaland’s exceptional begin to life within the Premier League.

Making waves over the summer time because it was introduced that the Norweigan celebrity can be making the transfer from Borussia Dortmund, the 22-year-old has solely cemented his spot as Europe’s hottest younger property.

Thought-about to be an actual cut price after Metropolis activated his £51.5million launch clause with the German membership, Haaland has solely set the Premier League alight over his first month.

Handing Guardiola’s facet the lead right here after ending from shut vary following Kevin De Bruyne’s great cross, the 21-cap worldwide has already notched 10 top-flight strikes from his opening six appearances.

In truth, solely persevering with to interrupt a string of home arrivals, Metropolis’s new attacking icon is averaging a Premier League purpose each 49 minutes and has a purpose conversion charge of 42%.

Match Report:

Aston Villa: Martinez, Money, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Luiz, Kamara, McGinn, Bailey, Ramsey, Watkins

Subs: Buendia, Younger, Coutinho

Manchester Metropolis: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Cancelo, De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan, Foden, Haaland, Silva

Subs: Ake, Mahrez

Targets: Aston Villa: Bailey (74′) – Manchester Metropolis: Haaland (50′)

Yellow Playing cards: Money, Digne

Pink Playing cards: N/A

Referee: Simon Hooper