By ADRIAN BISHOP
Published: 08:34 EST, 21 December 2024 | Updated: 08:42 EST, 21 December 2024
Jack Grealish and Emiliano Martinez could be seen engaged in a heated incident as they made their way down the tunnel in Man City's clash with Aston Villa.
With City in their midst of their worst-ever run of form under Pep Guardiola, the champions entered Saturday's clash looking to get back to winning ways.
In a bid to shake things up, Guardiola made several changes to the team that suffered a Manchester derby collapse last week, including a first start at Villa Park for Grealish since he left his boyhood club in 2021.
Villa seized the initiative from kick-off and after coming close once before, Jhon Duran put the hosts into the lead after just 16 minutes.
As the game reached the halfway point, Grealish could be seen appearing to protest the lack of stoppage time in the first half.
Then, as both teams made their way off the pitch the England international could be seen exchanging words with his former team-mate Martinez.
Erling Haaland played peacemaker, getting between the two men as they remained animated as they made their way off the pitch.
The conversation continued down the tunnel and the Argentine was subsequently booked by referee Peter Bankes for his involvement in the incident.
More to follow