Key Aston Villa figure agrees with Pep Guardiola about Man City decision

Steven Gerrard's assistant at Aston Villa, Michael Beale, has waded in on the debate surrounding Manchester City's decision not to make any substitutions during Monday's goalless draw with Crystal Palace.

City dropped points at Selhurst Park in their quest to defend the Premier League trophy, handing the initiative to Liverpool who are only four points behind the Etihad Stadium side. Liverpool have a game-in-hand on City and play them next month in Manchester. City boss Pep Guardiola watched his side struggle in front of goal but opted not to make any changes with his forward line creating chances but unable to put any of them away.

Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan were among the attacking options Guardiola had on offer to him if he wanted to make a change. "I thought a lot about making some changes but they were playing good," Guardiola said.

"The guys had the ability to score the goals. At the end we play more with motion, they defend." Guardiola's reluctance to call on anyone from his substitute's bench comes ahead of a vote on plans to reintroduce the option of making five subs in a game instead of the normal three.

The Premier League made a temporary alteration to the subs rules when the 2019-20 season resumed after a break because of the coronavirus pandemic. Matches were being played through the summer with the schedule tight because of the delay.

"City not choosing to use subs shows trust in starters and in the plan," Villa coach Beale wrote on Twitter. "The debate on “five subs” and unfair advantage fails to understand you can ruin/disrupt a performance as much as you can improve one with subs.

"In my opinion it’s not simple as give subs = advantage, (it) can equally mean the opposite.