Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to our live text commentary for Manchester City's Premier League clash away to Aston Villa. It may only be October folks, but the reigning champions already find themselves competing in must-win encounters by virtue of Chelsea's imperious start to the season - and this one represents another game where City simply cannot drop points.

By 6pm Sunday it is entirely possible that City may sit eight points off the pace if they lose today and Chelsea beat Arsenal tomorrow evening. The season is young, sure, but they can't afford to give a team like Chelsea an eight-point cushion any more than a 100m sprinter can give Usain Bolt a head start. In contrast, victory at Villa Park and defeat for the Blues at Stamford Bridge would see them reduce the gap to two points. It's a big weekend in the season my friends, make no mistake about it.

Are we being generous by talking up Villa's chances here today then? I don't think so. Paul Lambert's side had 10 points from a possible 12 a fortnight ago, but successive 3-0 defeats to Arsenal and Chelsea have stunted them in recent weeks. Still, this is by no means a routine victory for the champions, who laboured to draws against the above teams and have already lost to Stoke City. Villa away has been one of the easier visits in recent seasons but early evidence suggests that the Sky Blues will need play well in order to leave here with the win.

Right let's crack on with some team news before we go any further, shall we? I'll bring you full lineups very, very shortly, but first why not check into Sports Mole HQ and see what the lads have had to say on this one? See you in a few minutes.

Aston Villa XI: Guzan; Hutton, Senderos, Baker, Cissokho; Delph, Westwood, Cleverley; Richardson, N'Zogbia, Agbonlahor

Manchester City XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Kolarov, Kompany, Mangala; Milner, Fernandinho, Toure, Silva; Dzeko, Aguero

Aston Villa subs: Given, Bacuna, Clark, Sanchez, Bent, Weimann, Benteke

Manchester City subs: Caballero, Demichelis, Sagna, Lampard, Navas, Jovetic, Fernando

Right let's start with City and I can tell you that Manuel Pellegrini makes three changes from the 1-1 draw with Roma on Tuesday, with Eliaquim Mangala and Aleksandar Kolarov replacing Martin Demichelis and Gael Clichy respectively, while James Milner comes in for Jesus Navas. City fans will always be pleased to see Fernando named among the substitutes - the midfielder's first time in the squad since the shock 1-0 defeat to Stoke City.

To commemorate Fernando's return to the City squad after a six-game absence let me serenade you with this. Skip to 1:25 for the good part. Enjoy, City fans....

Before we have a closer look at Villa's lineup I think we need to address the elephant in the room: does Christian Benteke get a song to commemorate his return to fitness? Unfortunately, no. I'm all ears if you can find me a song that references the name 'Benteke'. But we will discuss him a little later, of course.

Anyways, yep Benteke is back after a six-month absence but only starts on the bench, with Gabriel Agbonlahor preferred up front. Lambert makes just the one change in all from last week's 3-0 defeat at Chelsea, with Charles N'Zogbia replacing Andreas Weimann. Fabian Delph, Ashley Westwood and Tom Cleverley line up in midfield, while Nathan Baker continues in defence as Ron Vlaar remains sidelined.

Good to see Benteke back, isn't it? He was named in a matchday squad for the first time in six months due to an achilles injury, and the Belgian hitman takes a seat on the bench today. It is remarkable how well Villa have done in his absence, having scored 34 times in his first two seasons in English football. He's a massive player for them and someone who Lambert has to keep fit if Villa are to build on what they have done so far this season.

Not only does Lambert need to keep Benteke fit but he also needs him firing because, well, Villa have not excelled in the goalscoring department so far this season. Despite their fruitful early-season form, they have only scored four times in their opening six games, with Burnley being the only side in the division with less goals. Agbonlahor, with two goals, has done admirably up there but we know, and have known for quite a few years, that he is not a 25-a-season kinda guy unfortunately. Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko are!

Philippe Senderos has, quite surprisingly, enjoyed a fine start to his Aston Villa career, but does this evening's visit of City, with Aguero and Dzeko, represent his biggest test to date? We reckon so. Aguero has struck 10 times in his last 12 away games, and if that wasn't ominous enough then Dzeko, with 14 goals, is the Premier League's leading goalscorer in 2014. Formidable, eh? Good luck to Mr Senderos and his fellow defenders this evening because they have a big job on their hands.

By the way, the full-time whistles have sounded from the 3pm kickoffs and you can find all the results you need right here. Spoiler alert: Burnley, having only hit one goal all season prior to day, scored TWICE against Leicester!

It was nice to see Fabian Delph retain his place in the England squad for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers. Deservedly so, too, after a rich vein of form for the Villans that stretches back to last season. Like his defensive teammates, though, Delph is in for a serious battle in midfield against the likes of Yaya Toure and Fernandinho.

What do we make of Toure thus far? Slow start to the season by his own very high standards, but class is permanent as the old adage goes and you wonder if this will be the game where he silences his critics of recent weeks. He is going to put this form behind him and single-handedly demolish some poor team in the very near future. Will it be Villa? Time will tell.

Breaking! There has been a slight change to the Villa team, my friends. Gabby Agbonlahor, who had been due to lead the line this evening, has pulled out after falling ill in the warm-up and he is replaced in the first XI by Andreas Weimann, while Jack Grealish takes the Austrian's place on the bench. Villa haven't got a striker on the pitch, folks. They do have Benteke, as we know, but Lambert is understandably reluctant to risk him.

Did you know? Aston Villa beat Manchester City 3-2 last season with only 33% of possession throughout the 90 minutes? It's hard to see a repeat of that scoreline, given Villa's goalscoring woes this season, isn't it? However, it was Weimann who scored the winner that day, so the omens are good for Lambert and co.

Prediction! Okay we're about five minutes away from kickoff boys and girls so let's lodge a pre-match prediction, shall we? Prior to discovering that Villa had no out-and-out striker on the field I fancied a draw, but I think Agbonlahor's withdrawl changes things and I'll punt for a 3-1 win now. Don't rush off to the bookies, though.

Right the players have entered the field now, with Villa led by stand-in skipper Ashley Westwood. The hosts make their way along the City team for the pre-match handshakes. Is it not meant to be the other way around?

Kickoff! Aaaaaaaaand we are off at Villa Park folks. Manchester City get us underway and Villa really pressing them so far. They can't keep this up for 90 minutes.

You thought that Agbonlahor's late withdrawal might have disrupted Villa but they've started really well and look very comfortable in possession.

James Milner, playing against his former club of course, drills a low, left-footed cross into the box but Nathan Baker gets there before Sergio Aguero. Moments later, Baker threw himself in front of a fiercely-struck Yaya Toure shot. Good to see that commitment.

City well on top in recent minutes but yet to fashion a real goalscoring opportunity. Plenty of promising signs from a Villa perspective, though.

Off the post! Manchester City come within the width of the woodwork from taking the lead, as Alan Hutton throws himself in the way of Aleksandar Kolarov's fierce drive, but it's deflected and the ball shaves the outside of the post.

That's cruel, partially because it's Tom Cleverley. The Manchester United loanee's eyes light up as he prepares to take aim from range, but as he pulls his leg back to strike the ball, the dimuntive David Silva nips in to leave Cleverley wondering what could have been. Villa still yet to have a shot.

How is Villa's make-shift striker Andreas Weimann doing? Fine. The Austrian, playing in the middle of a three-man attack with Kieran Richardson and N'Zogbia on the flanks, has done well and pressured Eliquim Mangala into a few hairy moments.

A collective "wahey" rings around Villa Park after Toure passes out for a Villa goal kick. He's not a bloke you want to provoke, I don't think.

Fabian Delph has looked fantastic so far. The pace shown to accelerate away from Fernandinho there was electric! He's out of contract next summer so, while performances like these are positive in the short-term, does it hinder Villa's chances of securing him in the long term?

Great tackle! We're only 20 minutes in but Nathan Baker stakes an early claim for 'tackle of the match', a fictional award I've just invented. Edin Dzeko gallops toward goal but Baker gets across superbly and takes the ball first, then the man to the delight of the home fans. Excellent work.

Chance! Great work from Villa keeper Brad Guzan, who races off his line to smother David Silva's through ball before Aguero could reach it. Fantastic pace from Guzan.

Booking: Referee Chris Foy has brandished his first yellow of the game and Kolarov is the recipient for a rash challenge on Alan Hutton.

Shot! Good work from Charles N'Zogbia now, as the Frenchman skips away from Fernandinho before galloping about 60 yards and taking aim from outside the box, but it whistles wide of Joe Hart's post. He's been sluggish up to that point, but a lot better from N'Zogbia.

Close! Sergio Aguero goes so close for Manchester City, getting on the end of a truly magnificent cross from Kolarov - aren't all his deliveries just fantastic! - but his header just glances wide of the mark. That's as close as either side has come. Really good game this.

Anything Kolarov can do Hutton can.......not do better. The Scot tried to emulate his opposite number but his attempted cross was awful. Have you ever tried to copy something you saw on Art Attack? That's what I'd compare it to.

Take a bow Vincent Kompany, whose crucial intervention just prevented Weimann from going one-on-one with Hart. Excellent work.

Chance! Oh dear, City probably should be ahead here, my friends. Dzeko blazes into row-z from a really good position. It was not a finish from someone with 14 Premier League goals this year. Best chance of the game so far and Manuel Pellegrini's side should be ahead.

Kolarov shaping up for a long-range free kick now, but it comes to nothing. Guzan might have been expecting power but the Serbian defender opted for precision and his effort crept wide of the post.

Good from from Delph, who presses Vincent Kompany and forces him into an error but, after picking up possession, Weimann surged toward goal and miscued his effort terribly. Still, Villa can take heart from the manner in which the opportunity came about.

Five minutes left until the break and Manchester City look keen on making the most of what little time they have in which to fashion a half-time lead. They boast 60% of the possession and about eight attempts to Villa's two.

Great work from Baker, who might have done enough to earn Villa parity at the interval. Aguero looked poised for a half volley just inside the Aston Villa box, but Baker scrapped those plans and took the ball away from him. He's had a fine half, Baker.

Close! So close from Milner now as the former Villa man thrashes into the side-netting. Milner plays the resulting corner to the unmarked Kolarov on the edge of the box as the Serbian's effort is deflected wide, too. Aston Villa survive.

Really good end to that half by City but Aston Villa, to their credit, repelled everything. They've earned that 0-0 but there's still 45 minutes left and, without much of a focal point up top, you worry for them in the second half.

On the bench: Who can City call upon if they need to? Well they've got Jesus Navas, whose pace will trouble every left-back in the division and Aly Cissokho is no exception. Pellegrini can also call on Stevan Jovetic, who has a goal or two in his locker.

And Aston Villa? Well Lambert can, but he might not want to, call on Christian Benteke. The Belgian is available for the first time following a six-month layoff, and you wonder if the Scottish manager might keep him on the bench with a view for his long-term fitness. The Villans really need a focal point, however, because Weimann has looked quite isolated in his unfamiliar centre-forward position.

The players are back on the field and we're moments away from the restart now.

Restart! Aaaaaaaaaaand we're back underway folks. Aston Villa, playing from left to right in this half, restart. Will we see more of the same from City? Stay tuned.

Off the post! Manchester City could, and should be ahead, as Milner plays Aguero through on goal but the Argentine sees his placed effort come back off the post.

Chance! The Villans go straight down the other end as Charles N'Zogbia carries possession forward in a swift counter but, after threading Kieran Richardson through on goal, the winger hesitated one-on-one with Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta got back in the nick of time. Great defending from the right back. What a start to this half!

Another fine delivery from Kolarov just then but it's too pacey and neither Aguero nor Dzeko have the legs to reach it. It's clear that Alan Hutton is the weak link in Pellegrini's mind.

Fantastic work from N'Zogbia, ghosting past a number of City players en route to a three on two situation in Aston Villa's favour but, instead of squaring to Hutton, tries to take on Kompany and loses possession. Really good work to make the chance, but terrible decision making.

Substitution: Fernandinho receiving a bit of treatment now after the Brazilian landed awkwardly after leaping for a header. Frank Lampard, who has 13 career goals against Aston Villa, has now replaced him in midfield.

Villa fans are happy but they haven't scored. What can this mean? Benteke looks to be coming on!

Chance! This was a chance, folks. Weimann leaps really well to reach Delph's cross, but the connection is all wrong and he generates absolutely no power from the header.

Substitution: And that was Wiemann's last contribution as he is replaced by Christian Benteke, who is in a Villa shirt for the first time in six months. Can he be the hero for the Villans? Let's find out.

Good free-kick opportunity now for Manchester City after Aly Cissokho brought down David Silva on the edge of the box. Kolarov is walking away - too close for him - and it looks like it's going to be Silva...

Close! It's good, but it's not quite Carling. Silva's free kick beats the wall but he curls narrowly over the bar.

Substitution: Another sub to tell you about now as Edin Dzeko makes way for Fernando, his first game back following a six-match absence.

Manchester City have probed for the last few minutes but it hasn't worked out for them as of yet. We spoke about the importance of the three points in order to keep the pressure on Chelsea, but will they get them?

Chance! Man City getting closer now as Silva tries to guide Milner's low cross beyond Brad Guzan but it drifts just wide of the mark.

Substitution: Two more Villa subs to fill you in on now. Charles N'Zogbia and Kieran Richardson make way for Leandro Bacuna and 19-year-old Jack Grealish respectively.

Chance! It does not look like it's going to be Manchester City's night, as Mangala just plants a free header into the hands of Brad Guzan from a corner. He might have done better.

Dare I say Manchester City look out of ideas? Can a side with David Silva in it ever run low on creativity? No. The Spaniard has been superb all evening but he's only got around 14 minutes left in which to help City move ahead.

Aston Villa's defence can be proud whatever the result may be at full time, because they - especially Senderos and Baker - have been excellent.

Chance! City allow yet another glorious chance to go begging, and it is Frank Lampard this time, who fires straight at Guzan from well inside the box. That should have been the opener.

Manuel Pellegrini's side move ahead, and it's Yaya Toure who most probably has scored the winning goal here. The Big Ivorian ran at Villa's defence, who inexplicably backed off, before side-footing past Guzan at the near post. Fine finish and now his name echoes around Villa Park.

Aston Villa have five minutes of normal time left in which to fashion an equaliser. It's a big ask. They look dead on their feet out there.

We can put a fork in this one now, my friends. Sergio Aguero has ended this one with an excellent finish past Guzan from outside the box. That's that now you'd imagine. Plenty of frustration in his celebration - or lack of celebration - too, which you can understand because it's been a frustrating night for him overall.

Do you want an accurate picture of this display? Manchester City are winning 25-6 in attempts! Given those numbers they had to score eventually, didn't they?

That's that, my friends. Cruel on Villa, who did well to repel Manchester City for all of 82 minutes, but their resistance waned and Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero pounced on that weakness.

In the words of Bugs Bunny, that's all folks. We will have plenty of reaction from this one soon, along with analysis and ratings so stay tuned for that. Enjoy your weekend ladies and gents.