CASH, BANG, WALLOPED

Matt finishes off sterile City as Erling has a rare off day

- BY ANDY DUNN

AS is the way in modern football, it does not have to be a goal to provoke scenes of raucous celebration.

A standard tackle by the touchline can get you a fist-bump nowadays. But Pau Torres deserved all the emotional congratulations that came his way when he somehow diverted Savinho's goal-bound strike over his own crossbar (inset, top) midway through the second half.

And that one piece of defending symbolised a Villa performance that put talk of Manchester City's rejuvenation into context.

This still does not look like a City team that will be going toe-to-toe with title contenders this season. And, of course, this defeat highlighted what has become blindingly obvious. If Erling Haaland does not find the net - this blank brought his scoring streak to an end at 12 matches - then City appear to have precious few alternative threats.

Which, for a club that has spent this much money on players, is quite the indictment.