After watching Liverpool drop points away at Goodison Park earlier in the day, Manchester City would have been desperate to widen their buffer over their main title rivals.However, throwing away the Josh Andrews Jersey lead and eventually having to settle for a 1-1 draw away at Aston Villa on Saturday evening, Pep Guardiolas side also mi sed out on the chance to briefly climb to the top of the table.While the red-hot Erling Haaland might have continued on his remarkable start to life in the Premier League, Leon Baileys wonderful strike 15 minutes from the end clinched a much-welcomed point for Steven Gerrard.Two sides who opened this weekends fixtures battling it out at opposite ends of the table, what did we learn from Saturdays affair at Villa Park?Peps defensive headache continuesStorming their way to a stellar 6-0 romp against Premier League returners Nottingham Forest earlier in the week, Guardiola had made it clear that he wanted his side to build off of that defensive display.However, while the English heavyweights might be tipped as a standout pick to once again defend their domestic crown this season, the ex-Barcelona bo s will have somewhat of a headache over his sides extended struggles on the back.Despite mounting Josh Rosen Jersey some of their trademark comebacks against both Crystal Palace and Newcastle over recent weeks, City are gaining a reputation for their defensive shortcomings.With their recent struggles highlighted by that action-packed 3-3 draw away at St. James Park on August 21st, Saturdays guests have now recorded just a single clean sheet from their previous four Premier League outings.Although Guardiola might appear to have chosen Ruben Dias and John Stones as his first choice central defensive partnership, it is clear that the Sky Blues are seeking some much-needed stability at the back.Gerrard gets the response he was desperate forEventually getting hit with a 2-1 lo s away at a high-flying Arsenal earlier in the week, fans around Villa Park were certainly expecting the worst when Guardiolas superstars arrived in town here.Although Gerrard might find still find real pre sure on his shoulders, the former Rangers bo s should be boosted by a gritty display from his downbeat squad on Saturday evening.At least Marcus Mariota Jersey briefly finding a route out of the bottom-three, Villa must find a way to prove that their display here was something that they can use as a platform to build off of.With the ex-Liverpool icon once again making the call to alter his XI following Wednesdays 2-1 lo s against the Gunners in A.J. Terrell Jr. Jersey north London, there is no doubt that Saturdays display has brought Gerrard some time.However, although Villa might have been more than deserving of their 1-1 draw here, they have still managed to muster just a single Premier League victory from their opening six appearances.Its Haalands Golden Boot to loseAlthough Guardiola might have growing concerns over his sides recent struggles at the back, fans around the Etihad will be boosted by Haalands remarkable start to life in the Premier League.Making waves over the summer as it was announced that the Norweigan superstar would be making the move from Boru sia Dortmund, the 22-year-old has only cemented his spot as Europes hottest young property.Considered to be a real bargain after City activated his 51.5million release clause with the German club, Haaland has only set the Premier League alight over his first month.Handing Guardiolas side the lead here after finishing from close range following Kevin De Bruynes wonderful cro s, the 21-cap international has already notched 10 top-flight strikes from his opening six appearances.In fact, only continuing to break a string of domestic arrivals, Citys new attacking icon is averaging a Premier League goal every 49 minutes and has a goal conversion rate of 42%.Match Report:Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Luiz, Kamara, McGinn, Bailey, Ramsey, WatkinsSubs: Buendia, Young, CoutinhoManchester City: Ederson, Walker, Ray Buchanan Jersey Stones, Dias, Cancelo, De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan, Foden, Haaland, SilvaSubs: Ake, MahrezGoals: Aston Villa: Bailey (74) Manchester City: Haaland (50)Yellow Cards: Cash, DigneRed Cards: N/AReferee: Simon Hooper