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.
READ MORE: Man City player ratings vs Aston Villa as Erling Haaland scores again
Here are a few things we spotted at Villa Park.
Cancelo impressed
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.
Haaland - first shot, first goal
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 cross too with the confidence that he will convert.
No-look De Bruyne
Everyone knows that Kevin de Bruyne is an otherworldly footballer, but the almost-telepathic connection he's forged with Erling Haaland is scary.
With a striker of Haaland's presence and intelligence on the field, De Bruyne doesn't even have to look before whipping crosses into the box. Now that City aren't playing with a false nine he knows that Haaland will always be there or thereabouts to lap up his service. It's an incredibly difficult partnership for defenders to defend against.
Solid Stones
Bar a slight misjudgment in the lead-up to Villa's goal - John Stones could have perhaps headed the ball back to Ederson rather than looking to play out in a dangerous area - Stones was impressive.
The England international did not look convincing at Newcastle or in the 4-2 defeat of Crystal Palace, but up against the strength of Ollie Watkins and the pace and trickery of Leon Bailey he looked commanding and in control.
The arrival of Manuel Akanji means Guardiola has more defensive options now, but when Stones it as his best he is arguably City's best centre-back.
Passing must improve
It's happened in a few games this season where for a period of ten minutes City suddenly seem unable to string usually simple - simple for them, not everyone else - passes together, as if sloppiness on the ball is infectious.
Towards the end of the first half that's exactly what happened, and it allowed Villa to come into the game for the first time and helped the home crowd find its voice.
That will wrangle with Guardiola. For his system to work, passing and distribution can be nothing short of perfect.
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