Villa holds Man City 0-0 to end 7-game losing run

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) - Aston Villa marked Remi Garde's first game in charge by frustrating Manchester City 0-0 to end a seven-game losing streak in a meeting of the bottom and top teams in the Premier League on Sunday.

Villa remains five points from safety but did at least stop its alarming slump after surviving a late scare when Fernando thumped the bar.

Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan's reflex reaction stop denied Raheem Sterling, and Kevin De Bruyne missed a clear second-half chance as City failed to find a breakthrough.

"Of course we tried to score, but we couldn't," City manager Manuel Pellegrini said. "Villa didn't shoot once to our goalkeeper but these things happen, we were unlucky with three or four opportunities.

"That happens in football, we didn't score, but I was very happy with the way we played, especially in the second half."

There was a renewed sense of confidence despite Villa's run of losses, the first six of which led to Tim Sherwood's firing.

"Today was a massive, massive draw for us," said Villa defender Micah Richards, who joined from City. "We fought for each other and we played some good football as well."