Anthony Pilkington admitted there was an air of disappointment in the dressing room after City left two points behind at Villa Park.

After going behind against the run of play, City took advantage when Villa lost full-back Joe Bennett and, after long periods of heavy pressure, finally got the equaliser they deserved when Michael Turner headed home in the 79th minute.

While only the second away point of the season isn't to be sniffed at, Pilkington wasn't alone in believing it should have been all three.

'We are a bit disappointed to be honest because we feel we could have had all three points with the chances that we had,' he said. 'But a point away from home in the Premier League is a good point at the end of the day and it could be a massive point at the end of the season.

'I think we were comfortable in the first half – we had a few chances ourselves and I can't really remember many other chances that they created to put John Ruddy under pressure.

'It is just unfortunate that one went in and we were on the back foot then. But the boys never gave up, we kept going – we have got a great team ethic in there – and we got the point.'