Sergio Aguero heads late winner as Manchester City deny brave Bristol City

Sergio Aguero heads a late winner for Manchester City.

These two sides will reconvene in a fortnight's time when Bristol City host Manchester City in the second leg, knowing they must beat the Premier League leaders to stand any chance of progressing.

Well that brings an end to our rocky coverage of the Carabao Cup. Apologies for those of you who were affected by our technical problems.

But we should be back up to full speed tomorrow night when Chelsea and Arsenal go head-to-head in the first leg of the second semi-final at Stamford Bridge. Join us for that but until next time, goodbye.

Full time: Manchester City 2-1 Bristol City

So Manchester City put one foot in the Carabao Cup final after beating Bristol City in a thrilling first leg of this semi-final, but this tie is far from over.

Thank was thanks to Bobby Reid's first half penalty which puts the Robins ahead at the break.

Kevin de Bruyne levelled and just as City looked destined to take a draw into the second leg at Ashton Gate, substitute Sergio Aguero headed home to grab a stoppage time win.

GOAL! Manchester City 2-1 Bristol City (Sergio Aguero)

Heartbreak for Bristol City as Man City complete the second half turnaround. Sergio Aguero has done nothing since he came on by he beats Frank Fielding to Bernardo Silva's cross to flick home.

Three added minutes. City come again.

Bristol City looking the more likely now as we approach the closing minutes. Man City looking very, very human here. Average even.

John Stones and Eliquim Mangala have been so sloppy tonight and they're exposed again as Bobby Reid pick-pockets the latter and runs down some valuable seconds. Bristol City camped on the edge of their own box but the red seas is yet to part.

De Bruyne does dart through but his effort is deflected behind. City have had a habit of late goals this season; can they produce another one?

City desperation summed up as Claudio Bravo comes fully 40 yards out of his goal to control the ball but his attempted clearance balloons into the air. It is like the hosts don't know there is a second leg.....

It comes to nothing but Bristol City keep the ball in the City half. This has been a heroic and brave display from the Robins.

Into the last 10 minutes at the Etihad. City are pushing hard in order to take a lead to Ashton Gate. But the Robins have a corner....

Frank Fielding makes a smart near-post save to keep out Sterling.

Guardiola sends for Sergio Aguero and he attempts to find this late winner. Bristol City have faded in an attacking sense since the goal it must be said.

Kevin de Bruyne celebrated drawing City level on the night and in the tie.

Bobby Reid slots home penalty for Championship Bristol City.

Apologies, but owing to a few technical problems in the IBT system we have been unable to update this live blog for the last 54 minutes. But we appear to be back on track and should be able to bring you the conclusion of this fascinating game....

The Premier League leaders pressing hard for this opening goal as we reach the half-way point in this opening hour of the tie. Bristol City a bit clumsy at the back but doing enough at the moment.

Fielding first turns away Sane's cross before Flint finds De Bruyne on the edge of his own box and the Robins 'keepers push the ball over the bar. Handing the ball back to a team who have scored 70 goals already this season is not wise.

Corner for Bristol City. Impressive opening quarter from the visitors. But the opportunity is wasted and the hosts have the ball back.

Man City fans not happy with the amount of tackles referee Anthony Taylor is allowing to go without punishment, and to frustrate them further Bristol city win a free-kick from a rather tame foul.

Against the Robins win the second ball but a sliced shot from Paterson sees the attack curtailed.

Bristol City test Claudio Bravo as Joe Bryan rampages forward and tests the ex-Barcelona 'keeper with a near-post effort which is beaten away. Paterson tries to keep the attack alive by pulling the loose ball back but Mangala clears.

City turning the screw now as Bernardo Silva's shot is deflected towards goal but it hits the side-netting rather than the back of Fielding's goal.

Half a chance for Bristol City as Paterson's shot from a half-cleared throw-in is blocked by Mangala. City break straight away and have a four on two but waste the opportunity. Fair to say the hosts look a bit sloppy.

Aden Flint wins the first battle with Raheem Sterling. The England man has his back to goal and though he does turn away, the Robins defender blocks his attempted pass.

Though the VAR was in use last night in the Brighton-Crystal Palace FA Cup tie and will be used when in both legs of the other semi-final between Chelsea and Arsenal, the ties between the two City's will be without technology.

That is because Bristol City's Ashton Gate is not technically ready to be used in that capacity, meaning the VAR won't be used for either leg; which seems the fair way to do it.

Under way at the Etihad Stadium. All the noise coming from those 8,000 Bristol City fans.

Players in the tunnel at the Etihad Stadium. What a night for Bristol City. Can they stay in the tie tonight, or will City put one foot in the Wembley final? Updates on the way....

Lee Johnson on Sky Sports: "It is a game we want to enhance our reputation in. It is a semi-final and it would be rude not to give every last bit of energy. You want to play the best because it is great experience for our players."

Pep Guardiola on Sky Sports: "We will try to win the game. All the players have played in all the competitions. It is a competition I take seriously. They can play. At set-pieces, throw-ins they are a tall, tall team. They have to see if they want to high press or not. We have to pay attention."

Claudio Bravo retains his place in the Man City team tonight. Is he destined to start in the final, if City get there?

Lee Johnson has been the talk of the town since dumping out Manchester United. He couldn't go one better tonight could he?

Bristol City have bought nearly 8,000 with them tonight in what will be the biggest attendance by a travelling set of supporters in the history of the Etihad Stadium, narrowly beating the 7,600 Burnley fans which watching the 4-1 FA Cup defeat at the weekend.

Lee Johnson bought a £450 bottle of wine to share with Jose Mourinho after their Carabao Cup tie last time out; but I wonder what he has in store for Pep Guardiola either tonight or for the second leg at Ashton Gate?

Johnson was never able to share the wine with the United boss, with the bottle eventually going to his goalkeeper coach David Coles to enjoy. The Robins boss has joked he may offer Guardiola "a bottle of hooch' when they visit the West County, but that his attention tonight is full on the task at hand.

Man City have gone without a recognised striker tonight with Gabriel Jesus injured and Sergio Aguero only on the bench. What does this say about the purported pursuit of Alexis Sanchez? No doubt Pep Guardiola will be asked about that tonight.

These two sides have only met once in the last 37 years, with Man City running out 2-1 winners in the League Cup in 2007. Emile Mpenza and Rolando Bianchi scored the goals for the side managed by Sven Goran Eriksson.

The smartphones are out in force as Bristol City' s players soak up some of the pre-match atmosphere.

Eight changes for Bristol City from the 3-0 FA Cup defeat to Watford. Among those alterations seen Luke Steele replaced by Frank Fielding in goal, Joe Bryan return while Bobby Reid leads the attack.

Four changes for Manchester City from the win over Burnley. In come Eliaquim Mangala, Yaya Toure, Bernardo Silva, and Kevin de Bruyne, with Otamendi, Fernandinho, Aguero and David Silva dropping out.

And here comes the teams from the Etihad.

City stayed on course for an unprecedented quadruple after coming from behind to beat Burnley at the weekend, and they'll again be expected to cruise into the final by putting Bristol City to the sword tonight.

Having put seven past Stoke, six past Watford and five past Liverpool and Crystal Palace; will they make such easy work of the Championship visitors?

Unless you haven't already seen it, here is that blistering Joe Bryan goal from the win over Manchester United. Just as well it went it, I think it would still be travelling.

Lee Johnson and his merry men made quite the impression against Jose Mourinho and co a few weeks but can his side repeat that against the best side in Europe at the moment?

Well over an hour to go until kick off at the Etihad but plenty to keep you entertained until then including the team news. But how might both sides line up tonight?

Manchester City could name a strong side despite Liverpool to come in the Premier League at the weekend. Claudio Bravo and Ilkay Gundogan have been two mainstays of their respective cup runs and could play after featuring against Burnley in the FA Cup. Gabriel Jesus is definitely out.

Bristol City have no fresh injury problems but are without at least four first team players including Jens Hegeler, Gary O'Neil, Callum O'Dowda and Ivan Lucic.

Bristol City have arrived at the home of the Premier League champions.

If FA Cup third round weekend didn't quench your thirst for knock-out cup football, then tonight we have another offing from the sport's most exciting format. Manchester City continue on their route towards the quadruple against a Bristol City side chasing another giant-killing.

Pep Guardiola is three matches away from claiming his first trophy in English football and despite tonight's inferior opponents he will want no slip ups in pursuit of the first of maybe four trophies in the first half of 2018.

Lee Johnson's side meanwhile have already seen off four Premier League sides in the competition, including Manchester United in dramatic fashion, and as they search for another they need to look at the likes of Southampton, Sunderland, Bradford City and Swansea City for examples of sides who have overcome the odds over two legs to reach the final.

All the team news and build-up ahead of the 7:45pm kick off on the way.