Ghana striker Jordan Ayew was hugely instrumental for bottom club Aston Villa as they held leaders Manchester City to a goalless draw in Remi Garde’s first game as manager on Sunday.
Under the new manager, Villa deployed a 4-3-3 formation, with an attacking trident of Gil, Ayew and Sinclair and the Ghanaian leading the attack.
Displaying a new-found defensive solidity, the hosts restricted City well although Raheem Sterling should have scored with a close-range header.
#AVFC 0-0 #MCFC – MATCH PIC: Jordan Ayew proving a real menace to the City backline. #AVLMCI pic.twitter.com/VJbzlZ4RgD
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) November 8, 2015
Ayew kept pressure on the Man City defenders until he was substituted with just seven minutes remaining.
Fernando saw a late header hit the bar for the visitors, while substitute Fabian Delph’s low shot rolled just wide.
Villa were less effective going forward and did not manage a shot on target.
However, they will welcome their first point since August against a free-scoring City side who were held to their second successive 0-0 draw away from home in the Premier League.
The result ends a disastrous run of seven straight league defeats for the Villans, while Manuel Pellegrini’s side could be replaced at the top of the league if Arsenal beat Tottenham in Sunday afternoon’s late kick-off.
