Bottom leaguer, Aston Villa were able to snatch a point from Barclays Premier League leaders, Manchester City today.
It was Villa’s second draw of the season. They had lost nine of the 12 matches played so far and won only one.
But it surely must be a big one for Coach Remi Gardes, who took over the struggling team two weeks ago. The match was the first game Garde would be fully in charge.
It was a game however in which City ought to have run away with the full points.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side had a penalty shout turned down in the first half when Raheem Sterling appeared to be brought down in the box while Kevin De Bruyne wasted a great chance as his attempt at a flick in the six yard box sailed wide of Brad Guzan’s goal.
Fernando nearly claimed the points for City in injury time but his powerful header was denied by the crossbar.
Apart from the possibility that City would lose the league leadership, if Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur in a later match today, the other worry for Pellegrini now was the injury sustained by Ivorian international, Wilfried Bony, who limped off the pitch in the first half.