Kevin de Bruyne telepathy but Man City fall short of perfection vs Aston Villa

Manchester City were left frustrated on Saturday evening after letting a lead slip to draw 1-1 with Aston Villa at Villa Park.

City put in a strange performance in which they were off the pace in the first half but much better after half-time. It was in the second period that Erling Haaland scored his tenth league goal of the season in only his sixth appearance, rising high at the back post to side-foot home a superb Kevin de Bruyne cross.

However, City spurned a flurry of chances thereafter and were made to pay for their wastefulness when Leon Bailey equalised for Villa. The point leaves City second in the standings with 14 points from six games, one point behind table toppers Arsenal.

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Here are a few things we spotted at Villa Park.

Neither of City's starting full-backs have enjoyed the best start to the season, and unfortunately Kyle Walker was again a little sloppy at Villa Park.

Joao Cancelo was largely excellent though, not just his attacking but his defending too. There was one moment in the first half when he showed just how switched on and focused he was, winning two sliding challenges in quick succession to halt a Villa attack and set up a City breakaway.

City failed to register a shot on target in the first half, but when they did Haaland made it count.

The 22-year-old peeled off his market at the back post to connect with De Bruyne's cross, the kind of goal City might not have scored last season.

Before the goal City had barely created a clear chance, making it all the more important that they took one when it came. In years gone by City have needed to play well to score, but in Haaland they have a striker who his teammates can