Manchester derby
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FULL TIME

Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham

5:51: Paul Lambert has one last go in his attempts to salvage something here by introducing Darren Bent for Aly Cissokho.

5:48: Kane has his Premier League goal! After managing to convince Erik Lamela to let him take it, the England Under-21 international goes to bend one over the top rather than blast it . The shot appears to be heading towards the outstretched arms of Guzan but a huge deflection of Baker wrong foots the Villa keeper and it flies into the far corner.

Goal! Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham (Harry Kane, 89)

5:46: Spurs have another free kick on the edge of the box after a tired challenge from Sanchez on Kane.

5:44: Villa counter through Agbonlahor but he has to wait an age to receive some back up. He gets it when Cissokho pops up on the edge of the box and his lashed effort on goal has Lloris scrambling over to his far post. Good effort from the full back.

5:41: And Spurs are level! Lamela whips in an inswinging corner that bypasses a cluster of players in the middle. Chadli however follows the path of the ball over to the far past and neatly sidefoots into the back of the net.

Goal! Aston Villa 1-1 Tottenham (Nacer Chadli, 83)

5:36: Chadli is the latest name in the book following a late slide in on Westwood after the ball had already been played.

5:31: Another change, this one for Villa as Gabriel Agbonlahor comes on for N'Zogbia.

5:30: Townsend wants the free kick immediately after coming on, but Lamela isn't having it. The Argentine takes, but can't keep it down and watches it sail over.

5:29: Kane is felled about 30 yards out by Sanchez, allowing Pochettino to make his change replacing Capoue with Andros Townsend.

5:26: Not fussed about his side being down to 10, Weimann nips away from his man and lets fly with an effort that takes a deflection of Rose. That's what it looks like anyway, but the referee gives it Spurs' way. Those decisions aren't helping the frustrated home side, and Weimann loses his cool moments later after missing out on another decision, going off on one at the linesman to earn a yellow card.

5:23: And Benteke is gone! Replays show a couple of robust exchanges with Lamela, half a kick out before pushing the face of Mason when he stepped in between the two. Bit harsh, perhaps, but you're always asking for trouble when you raise your hands.

RED CARD - Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)

5:21: And it's all gone mad again. Both sets of players are involved in a lot of pushing right in front of the technical area. It looked to have been sparked by something between Benteke and Soldado, but we will soon find out.

5:18: It's all kicking off at the minute. Jan Vertonghen slides in on Westwood, a challenge that upsets a few Villa players. A few of them charge at the referee with Younes Kaboul and co getting involved too, but it's eventually all calmed down and Vertonghen is shown a yellow card. Replays show that was probably the correct decision.

5:15: Spurs fans have their wish: Harry Kane has come onto replace the fairly useless Adebayor. He is immediately involved, picking the ball up on the right and forcing a corner which eventually comes to nothing.

5:11: Really poor start to this half that has been devoid of quality.

5:08: Chadli is found in space inside the box and fired a fairly tame shot on goal that should be Guzan's. He spills it, however, right in front of Adebayor who gets a foot on the ball but can't direct it anywhere two yards out from goal and the Villa 'keeper recovers.

5:06: Villa spring down the left after Spurs surrender possession in the middle of the park but Danny Rose is across to intercept. The full back can't clear however and is soon robbed of possession immediately putting pressure back on his side but the attack breaks down.

5:02: And we are back underway for the second half at Villa Park.

HALF TIME

Aston Villa 1-0 Tottenham

4:45: Benteke, without being at his best today, is causing panic in the Spurs backline. This time he easily outjumps Kaboul but can't get any real power on his header.

4:42: Spurs get a short free kick routine all wrong and it directly leads to a Villa counter attack spearheaded by Benteke. Weimann makes a great run across the Belgian who ignores it and is tackled by Vertonghen.

4:39: Ryan Mason does very well down the right to win the ball back from Cissokho but is taken down by the Frenchman for his hard work. Cissokho is booked, but the free kick is wasted.

4:34: Villa have fallen asleep since that goal but shake into life as Tom Cleverley is found in space on the left after a neat passing move, but his cross is collected by Lloris.

4:30: Harry Kane's name rings out from the travelling Spurs fans? You reckon they thought he would have buried that chance from Adebayor?

4:28: Guzan denies Adebayor! Soldado nods down to Eriksen, gets the ball back and frees Adebayor ahead of him who is left one on one, but the Villa 'keeper reads it well and blocks. Tottenham corner.

4:24: Kaboul tries to make up for his earlier error as a free kick is floated into the box but he mistimes it and connects with nothing but air on the second attempt.

4:21: Chadli is picked out in space on the left and cuts onto his right to shoot but his effort goes out for a corner. Spurs defenders come up to try and prove they are useful for something but fail as Guzan claims.

4:19: Spurs look dreadful at the back. For Villa's goal Vertonghen opted to needlessly stand off the advancing N'Zogbia despite it being clear Danny Rose wasn't get at the Frenchman. Meanwhile Kaboul dallied in the box before turning his back on Wiemann's strike.

4:17: Villa do a goal! Rose stands off N'Zogbia as he menacingly cuts in from the right and pings a precise ball into the six yard area. Wiemann, who has done well to find a yard of space, adjusts his feet and squeezes onto into the bottom corner to score Villa's first goal in 547 minutes.

Goal! Aston Villa 1-0 Tottenham (Andreas Wiemann)

4:14: Benteke hits the post! N'Zogbia reaches the byline on the right and pulls a decent ball back into the feet of the Belgian, who takes a touch and wallops the wood work with a powerful effort. You sense there will be a few goals in this game.

4:11: Close from Villa as Sanchez whips an excellent ball into the box from the right. Benteke appears to have a yard on his man but Kaboul puts just enough pressure on him and the Belgian heads wide.

4:09: Good build-up from Spurs again as Chadli is played into space down down the right and slides a ball into the feet of Adebayor who has found space in the box but Vlaar nips back to clear for a corner, which eventually comes to nothing.

4:05: Soldado neatly steps past Sanchez with quick feet before looking for his strike partner Adebayor. The former Arsenal man can't quite bring the ball under control however and his ball back into the feet of Soldado is cleared.

4:01: Within the first minute at Villa Park Soldado comes within inches of giving Spurs the lead! From the edge of the box the Spaniard arrows a first time effort towards the bottom corner but it flies wide.

TEAM NEWS: Eight goals from Harry Kane isn't enough to see him gain a spot in the first team. Mauricio Pochettino opts for 4-4-2 but he looks to Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado who have contributed just four goals between them all season.

Aston Villa Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Cissokho; Westwood, Cleverley, Sanchez; Weimann, N'Zogbia, Benteke.

Tottenham: Lloris; Naughton, Kaboul (c), Vertonghen, Rose; Capoue, Chadli, Eriksen, Mason; Adebayor, Soldado.

3:40: Our focus now shifts to Villa Park where Aston Villa host Tottenham Hotspur. Team news coming your way shortly.

3:30: And that's it, Manchester City move back to within six points of leaders Chelsea. United will look to the red card shown to Chris Smalling as the defining point in the match and were lucky to see referee Michael Oliver wave away three strong penalty shouts for the home side. United however deserve great credit for their reaction to the red card and had three good chances to equalise against nervous opposition, but lacked the cutting edge to take something from the game.

FULL TIME

Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United

3:23: United press, City punt clear. That's the formula of these final few minutes but van Gaal's side are running out of time here.

3:21: Wilson does well to win another corner but two poor deliveries from di Maria see the chance wasted.

3:20: What a chance for Toure! A short corner finds Fernandinho who flashes a sublime cross into the box. The Ivorian just has to keep it down but can't manage it and sends it over the bar.

3:19: Five minutes of time added on.

3:18: City launch the ball into the United half that eases the pressure on them for a moment. They almost fashion a second out of it too as Toure brilliantly flicks it past McNair, but his curled effort can't find the bottom corner.

3:16: Rooney stays down for a moment with a spot of cramp but is soon back on his feet.

3:15: City cannot hold onto the ball at the minute. Zabaleta is the latest to give the ball away and United work it to his countryman di Maria. He shapes to shoot with his left but his effort loops into the box via a deflection. Rooney chases it and collides with Hart who makes the save.

3:14: Fellaini and Kompany go up for the ball but the Belgian heads over.

3:13: Rooney redirects a free kick back into the box towards Fellaini but Fernando sees it out for another United corner.

3:12: Is Pellegrini feeling the pressure? Fernandinho comes on to replace Sergio Aguero, who looks very frustrated to see his number come up.

3:11: van Persie comes off and is replaced by James Wilson.

3:10: Fernando is shown a yellow card for a late challenge and United have a free kick 30 yards out from goal. Di Maria stands over it but can't keep it down. United have done well to fight back into this, but you feel City are capable of slicing them open again if they kick back up a gear.

3:08: And another brilliant chance! A free kick is swung into the box and from eight yards out Fellaini has a free header! He gets it all wrong however, mistiming his run as it bounces off his shoulder.

3:06: United nearly snatch an equaliser! Rooney does excellently as he drives from deep past two City players to fight his way into the box. Kompany holds him up but he finds van Persie. With his route blocked, the Dutchman looks right for Di Maria but his low drive across goal is well saved by Hart.

3:04: Nasri cracks the woodwork! City are cutting through with ease here and United are defending for their lives. Luke Shaw doesn't spot the run of Nasri in behind him but the Frenchman is denied by the near post.

3:03: United again try to break through but a one on one between Rooney and Di Maria on the edge of the box breaks down and Fellaini can't get to the loose ball before Hart. Moments later City are right back down the other end but Carrick makes a tremendous block to deny Aguero.

3:01: van Persie does brilliantly with virtually no space up the right hand byline, slipping past two before trying to catch Joe Hart out at his near post. Hart sticks out a boot and saves. United get the corner, but it is wasted by Di Maria.

2:59: Change for City as James Milner comes off for Sami Nasri. Jovetic will also come off for Dzeko.

2:57: Jovetic works a yard of space for himself on the edge of the box and curls one on goal but De Gea reads it all the way and makes the save.

2:54: United manage to bring the ball forward through Blind who shows quick feet to skip past a man and find Rooney. It's worked over to van Persie on the left who can't shake Zabaleta, and his weak cross is easily cleared.

2:51: City have their breakthrough. Simple but effective move from the homeside as Toure works an inch of space for himself to find Clichy down down the left. The Frenchman reaches the byline and cuts a precise ball back to Aguero inside the six yard area who slams it into the roof of the net.

Goal! Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United (Sergio Aguero)

2:49: Di Maria whips it into the box towards the far post but it evades everyone and goes out for a corner.

2:47: McNair does well to read a pass from Fernando looking for Aguero but moments later the Argentine is cutting across the box looking for an opening but is again felled. City want another penalty! There may have been slight contact from Micharel Carrick but Aguero did appear to be looking for it. Meanwhile di Maria is down the other end before he is cut down by Kolarov who is booked. United free kick.

2:45: The first City corner comes in but Blind clears, and United clear their lines for the time being from the second.

2:44: Rojo leaves the bench on a strecher with what looks like a dislocated shoulder. 19-year-old McNair enters the fray.

2:42: van Persie can't hold the ball up and Fellaini loses out in the follow up challenge, prompting Rojo to slide out and injure himself in the process. Paddy McNair is their only other option at centre half on the bench.

2:40: Rooney loses possession to Toure and strides down the inside right flank with the United captain trailing him. 25 yards out from goal Toure cuts inside but Rooney wins the ball back with an exceptional sliding challenge. It was risky, but perfectly timed.

2:38: United already defending for their lives. First Aguero is fed in down the inside left channel but Rojo does well to fend him off at the near post. The ball only breaks to Jovetic however in the six yard area but Fellaini throws his formidable frame in the way to block.

2:36: United start this half with a winger at right back, a centre midfielder at centre half, another centre half in first season in the Premier League and a 19-year-old at left back.

2:33: And City get us back underway for the second half against a 10-man United.

HALF TIME

Manchester City 0-0 Manchester United

(Chris Smalling sent off)

2:18: City want another penalty! A neat one two between Navas and Aguero just about breaks down but City pick up the pieces. Toure powers his way through to get on the end of a clipped pass from Jovetic and goes down after Rojo hooked a leg in front of him to clear. Was there contact? It looked like it. Michael Oliver blows his whistle, but only for half time.

2:16: Three minutes of time added on in this half. City firmly in control at the minute.

2:14: Replays show Fellaini was very lucky there, he did clip the ankles of Aguero. Januzaj has been sacrificed for Michael Carrick as a result of Smalling's red card.

2:12: Aguero turns sharply in the box and goes down following contact from Fellaini. Referee Michael Oliver isn't interested however, and the big Belgian gives Aguero an earful for going down easily. United play on, but eventually kick the ball out of play after the Argentine stayed down.

2:10: Milner's delivery from the resulting free kick is excellent and it just about evades Vicent Kompany at the back post. It appears Fellaini has moved into centre half for the time being.

2:08: Awful, awful decision from Chris Smalling. After being booked for blocking Hart's goal kick, the England centre half slides into Milnerwho is cutting in from the left. He gets nowhere near the ball and immediately knows what is following. United down to 10 men with five minutes of the first half remaining.

RED CARD - Chris Smalling (Manchester United)

2:05: Patient build up play results in Fernando clipping the ball over to Milner who races towards the byline on the left but his delivery is poor.

2:02: It;s a wicked delivery from Di Maria but it just won't fall kindly in the box and Hart soon collects. Smalling sticks his backside/leg out to block the goalkick and is promptly shown a yellow card.

2:01: United work the ball wide with Di Maria getting his heels clipped as he finds van Persie to his left, before the Dutchman himself is then felled. Rooney appeals for a yellow, but he will have to settled for the free kick.

1:59: Toure takes it, but can't get it down quick enough and it flies over the bar.

1:57: Blind is the first to be shown a yellow card after a late challenge on Toure, who burst ahead of him after a neat one two with Milner. City have a free kick just wide of the D from just about 30 yards out.

1:54: Toure clips a ball over the top for Milner but he is judged to be offside. Replays show he was by a centremeters, but United's high line was almost exposed there.

1:52: Brilliant move from City but De Gea saves! The home side cut United open as Navas breaks into space inside the box but his shot is batted away by De Gea from six yards out. City then turn it on again as Fernando brilliantly cuts a pass in from the left for Aguero, but De Gea is out again to block the Argentine's effort.

1:50: Van Persie wants a foul but play continues, allowing City to hoof upfield looking for the run of Aguero. The Argentine cuts across the box menacingly but is shot from a tight angle is gathered by De Gea.

1:48: Aguero shuffles past Rooney and Blind and wins a free kick after his compatriot Rojo intervened with a late challenge. City can swing this in from the right, but Fellaini does well to guide it out of play with Demichelis for company.

1:47: This has been an impressive start from United. They have largely dominated possession in these early stages and look the more likely to create an opening.

1:46: Jovetic this time hauls down Januzaj, who is causing early problems down that right flank.

1:44: Shaw swings in a cross from deep that looked overhit until it suddently started to drop at the far post. Van Persie follows all the way but is unable to keep a difficult header on target.

1:43: Januzaj recieves the ball out on the right flank and elegantly slips past Clichy but is hauled down cynically for his trouble.

1:42: Clichy clips a hopeful down the left flank that Milner dilligently tries to chase down but Valencia does well to step across and see the ball out of play.

1:40: United respond with a neat move of their own as they pass through City's midfield. The ball falls to Januzaj inside the box but he attempts the half volley and lashes it wide. Poor effort.

1:38: De Gea denies Aguero! Jovetic slides a ball into the box for Aguero who has pulled wide of Smalling. The Argentine bursts past the United man and from a tight angle fires on goal, but the United 'keeper bats it away. United ease the pressure in the follow up as Rooney wins a free kick.

1:36: City move the ball wide and try to isolate Luke Shaw against Navas. The Spaniard manages to sneak past the full back but his ball in from the right is overhit and sails out of play.

1:34: Rooney gives the ball away carelessly in midfield, the second time in the space of a few minutes. United get men back behind the ball and force City back, but the home side hold onto possession.

1:33: Fellaini just slipped past his man in midfield with a wonderful Marseille turn. Yep.

1:32: Van Persie wins an early free kick about 40 yards out from goal that United get everyone up for. It's Rojo who gets a glancing header on it but he has ruled offside as he sends Hart scrambling to his nearpost.

1:30: And we are off and underway at the Etihad.

1:25: Gael Clichy has replaced Kolarov in the City starting line up due to that hamstring problem. We are five minutes from kick off.

1:20: City could have a big problem ahead of kick off. Aleksander Kolarov has pulled up during his warm up with what appears to be a hamstring problem. He's just walked off the pitch and we could see Gael Clichy come in for the Serbian.

1:16: Van Gaal on dropping Juan Mata for Wayne Rooney, the top scorer in this fixture: "For me it is not difficult because he is my captain. He gives me more bodies in midfield."

1:10: Louis van Gaal has shown a great deal of faith in handing Adnan Januzaj a starting role this afternoon. After scarce opportunities in the opening monhts, the young Belgian has started United's last three games. His inclusion indicates there will be no holding back from Louis van Gaal.

12:59: City were left reeling by the news that David Silva will miss Sunday's derby with a knee ligament problem but will comfort themselves with the fact they have dominated this fixture in recent seasons.

The champions beat United 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium in September last season before humiliating the side, then managed by David Moyes, in front of their own fans in an easy 3-0 win in March.

A last-minute winner from Robin van Persie inspired his side to victory in December 2012 in United's only league win against their city rivals in their last six meetings.

12:51: United may have accumulated less points than they had at this point last season and are still searching for their first win away from home but is there still reason for optimism at Old Trafford? It would appear so.

12:40: While City's last league appearance at the Etihad saw them (more specifically, Sergio Aguero) hammer Tottenham Hotspur 4-1, their form since then has been dismal. A 2-2 draw away at CSKA Moscow despite leading 2-0 at half time, a league defeat to West Ham United and elimination from the Capital One Cup by Newcastle United has seen Manuel Pellegrini's approach questioned. If there as ever a good time to visit City, now would be ideal, according to Louis van Gaal.

What we have seen in the last matches was not so good.

We have a good feeling about this match. We need a good result and it could be against Man City."

It is one of the 38 matches we have to play but, for the fans, it is unbelievably big as a rivalry.

I have felt that, also with a lot of the players in the squad but especially with Ryan Giggs," the Dutchman said before his first Manchester derby.

He presented the analysis of Manchester City, and I felt more tension with him. It was good to see that."

STARTING LINE UPS

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov, Jesus Navas, Toure, Fernando, Milner, Aguero, Jovetic

Subs: Sagna, Nasri, Dzeko, Caballero, Clichy, Fernandinho, Boyata.

Man Utd: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Rojo, Shaw, Blind, Fellaini, Januzaj, Di Maria, van Persie, Rooney

Subs: Mata, Lindegaard, Carrick, Ander Herrera, Fletcher, McNair, Wilson.

TEAM NEWS: Manchester United: Wayne Rooney comes straight back into the starting line up after completing his suspension, replacing Juan Mata. United's only other change sees Antonio Valencia come in for the injured Rafael da Silva at right back. Radamel Falcao was ruled out of the match day squad on Friday.

TEAM NEWS: Manchester City: No David Silva for the champions who is ruled out for up to four weeks with a knee ligament problem but Yaya Toure has been passed fit. Martin Demechelis comes in for Eliaquim Mangala at centre half.

BREAKING: Antonio Valencia comes in at right back for Manchester United, replacing the injured Rafael da Silva.

12:20: The day is upon us. The first Manchester derby of the season is just over an hour away. Last season Manuel Pellegrini's side claimed a 7-1 aggregate score line over both their league games as power firmly shifted to the blue half of the city.

Despite United's slow-start to the season, they sit just four points behind the Premier League champions as it stands. City's form has aided that gap closing having lost to West Ham United in between disappointing results in the Champions League and the Capital One Cup. City have no wins in their last three games.

Talk of turning corners and new dawns at Old Trafford have come and gone over the past year. But the result and performance from Louis van Gaal's side against arguably the best this league has to offer in Chelsea last week gave those latest hopes some real credence.

Is this the game for Manchester United to firmly prove the ghosts of last season have been exorcised? Or merely another chance for City to put their neighbours in their place again?