Aston Villa 0 - Man City 0: Guzan keeps City at bay as Garde gets off to good start

Remi Garde made his managerial debut for Aston Villa in the 0-0 draw against Man City

ASTON VILLA secured their first Premier League point in seven games under new boss Remi Garde in a hard fought draw against Manchester City at Villa Park.

 

City had a host of chances to maintain top spot - including a point blank header from Raheem Strerling which was saved by Brad Guzan, but Villa stood firm. 

It looked as if Garde's appointment had given Villa a much needed confidence boost as it was the hosts who started the brightest, with a slick passing move culminating in a wayward shot from Idrissa Gueye. 

This positive start from Villa kicked City into gear as they began to stamp their authority on the game with Fernando lashing his effort over Brad Guzan's bar from a corner. 

However, City's quality began to creep through as the half went on with Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne wreaking havoc. 

City then had a penalty appeal waved when Sterling, who scored his first Champions League goal in the midweek win over Sevilla, went down as he attempted to take on Ciaran Clark and cut inside onto his right foot - but the referee waved away City's appeals. 

The last chance of the half fell to Carles Gil, who was fouled by Nicolas Otamendi, but he put his free-kick well over the bar. 

Manuel Pellegrini's men came out of the blocks quickest in the second half with Guzan producing a brilliant point blank save with his face from Sterling's powerful header. 

City then had another big chance with De Bruyne getting on the end of Jesus Navas' cross, but he miscued his effort from six yards. 

Despite City's dominance at times Villa stood firm as Garde got his Villa rein off to an almost perfect start. 

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