Birmingham: Manchester City's shortage of recognised strikers was glaringly exposed in a goalless draw away to bottom club Aston Villa on Sunday that saw them squander the chance to consolidate their position at the top of the Premier League.


Man City striker Raheem Sterling (in green) falls after a challenge from Aston Villa's Ciaran Clark during their EPL tie yesterday. Pic/AFP

Manuel Pellegrini lost the services of Wilfried Bony to a hamstring injury and then watched in frustration as City failed to make their second-half domination count in a match where Villa ended a dismal run of seven successive defeats.