Raheem Sterling was forced to play as a makeshift central striker in the first half against Aston Villa this afternoon after Wilfried Bony limped off to add to Manchester City’s injury woes up front.
The Ivorian pulled up on 25 minutes and was substituted for Jesus Navas, with Sterling moving inside and he felt that he should have had a penalty when he went down under the challenge of Ciaran Clark.
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Referee Craig Pawson waved away his appeals, and rightly so. Although there was contact between the players, it appeared as though Sterling actually trod on Clark’s foot rather than the other way around.
The England star was even cutting inside is a mystery, but conviction in front of goal is still his Achilles heel and he clearly was not confident about taking on a shot with his weaker left foot.
City were unable to open the scoring in the first half at Villa Park, but surely would have done if Sergio Aguero, who is nursing a hamstring strain according to the Daily Mail, been fit and playing.
Bony likely joining him in the treatment room leaves Manuel Pellegrini without a senior striker, so the international break arguably comes at a good time for the Premier League leaders.
Half-time: Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester City
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