The return of Gareth Barry to old club Aston Villa threatened to be eclipsed by a first half goal from former City captain Richard Dunne. But a second half equaliser from Craig Bellamy earned City a well deserved point.Any hopes of a warm reception Barry may have entertained upon his return were quickly booted into touch when he got off the team bus at Villa Park and was met by a chorus of boos.
On the pitch City old boy Dunne resisted the temptation to celebrate in front’s of City’s away fans when he beat Barry to the ball from a James Milner corner to head Villa into the lead after 15 minutes.
City pressed for the equaliser – Carlos Tevez testing Brad Friedel with a long-range shot that got the faintest touch off Adebayor but flew straight into the arms of the grateful Villa keeper.
Dunne almost added a second on 58 minutes before Bellamy turned Emmanuel Adebayor’s cross high beyond Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel after 67 minutes.
City looked the more likely to seal the victory though manager Mark Hughes will have taken some comfort from what on paper was a tough match against a side also looking to have a major say in the Premiership this season.
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