Community Shield: Chelsea v Manchester City as it happened

So, the new season has begun and the first trophy has been won. If that was essentially a friendly, then what drama will we get when the action begins in earnest next weekend? Only nine months of excitement to get through, with your next installment coming on Wednesday, when England meet Italy in Switzerland. Thanks for your company today.

James in London, via text on 81111: "Are we really going to start with the RDM is rubbish already. Get a grip!! Great game, good opener for the season."

Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany: "It was a great day for the club again. It doesn't matter what the trophy is, we'll celebrate it. For the red card, to be honest I was far from the action, all I can say is before that we had more possession and the two chances they had, they scored from. It will be a tough league this season because you could see the quality that Chelsea have. It doesn't matter if we are favourites, if we can improve on last season I'll be very happy."

City up next, collecting their medals first, then gathering on a platform around the Shield, awaiting the arrival of skipper Vincent Kompany. He is last to get there, lifting the trophy as Blue Moon plays around Villa Park, with sky blue ticker tape released into the air. The first trophy of the season has been won.

We've got our presentation just beginning. Kevin Friend has taken a few boos as he collected his medal, with Chelsea following him to collect the runners-up prizes. More boos, not really sure why.

That's it, Kevin Friend brings proceedings to a close, hit whistle signifying that Manchester City have won the first silverware of the season. In four of the last five years, the Community Shield winners have gone on to win the Premier League. A good omen for City?

Late corner for Chelsea sees Petr Cech up in search for an equaliser. When Costel Pantilimon easily gathers the cross, City break, with Cech stranded. On the counter-attack, Ramires, who has already been booked, bodychecks David Silva and is very fortunate not to get a second yellow.

We have an early contender for miss of the season. Great work from Yaya Toure and James Milner sees the ball cut back for Sergio Aguero, who only has to turn the ball goalwards, but sends it wide.

City make a late change, with Edin Dzeko replacing goalscorer Carlos Tevez. From their next attack, a cross from the right falls to David Silva, but the Spaniard can't react quick enough to get a powerful effort away, with Petr Cech saving.

City have got a bit more of a grip on things now, keeping the ball then looking to attack down the right. When John Terry's clearance falls back to City, Carlos Tevez looks to run at the Blues defence, but the danger is snuffed out.

Chelsea, who only have 10 men remember, are pushing for an unlikely equaliser, causing City to scramble in defence from a corner, then thwart Ashley Cole as he runs down the left. We're looking at a good finish here.

As soon as Mata got to the bench, he was getting some strapping on his thigh. Petr Cech - who had little chance to do anything about the three City goals - is quick off his line to deny Samir Nasri. That's the Franchman's last act of the game, with Nasri replaced by David Silva.

Those three goals have almsot ended this game as a spectacle, with City happy to keep the ball without looking to force too much. Chelsea make their second change, Daniel Sturridge replacing Juan Mata.

Eden Hazard might have to get used to a few more crunching challenges this season, as Pablo Zabaleta wins the ball cleanly while at the same time making the Belgian aware of his presence. Chelsea pretty much pinned in their own half now.

Chelsea tempers getting a little frayed too, with Ashley Cole, who has already been booked, having to be calmed by referee Kevin Friend.

Chelsea aren't currently looking like a side who have only 10 men, but both teams are looking a little guilty of giving the ball away too easily. After that early Torres run, the second half has got a little sloppy.

It's 10-man Chelsea who have made the brighter start after the resumption, with Fernando Torres surging through the middle before the ball is whipped off his toe. From the resulting corner, the ball drops to Frank Lampard, who smashes his effort over the bar.

So what did you make of the first 45 minutes of the new season? City certainly had the better of the early stages, as Chelsea struggled to get to grips with the champions' new formation, but the Blues nicked the lead before losing Ivanovic for that challenge on Aguero. Just the nine more months of this to look forward to. Tweet using the hashtag #bbcfootball or text 81111.

"For those who had forgotten about football's capacity to enthral and excite there is a neatly packaged reminder in three breathless minutes. First, Chelsea pinch the lead, against the run of play it has to be said, with Fernando Torres finishing off a delightful bit of football by Ramires, only for the game to swing again a moment later when Branislav Ivanovic is sent off for a two-footed tackle on Sergio Aguero. Never a dull moment, very much game on at Villa Park."

Ole! Has Petr Cech been watching the Olympic Handball? He can't quite gather a cross that comes in from the left, twice palming the ball out of danger then running to boot it clear.

"This is fascinating tussle. Roberto Mancini is experimenting with a 3-4-1-2 formation with Savic, Kompany and Zabaleta across the defence, allowing Milner and Kolarov to play as wing-backs alongside Yaya Toure and De Jong in midfield. That is giving City the platform to win the midfield battle at the moment and Chelsea are looking increasingly overrun. Di Matteo may need to make a tweak in order to prevent this drip of City domination from becoming a downpour."

A potentially significant piece of news, not concerning this game but perhaps one of the teams in it. Liverpool are playing a friendly against Bayer Leverkusen today, but have not included Manchester City target Daniel Agger in their line-up.

Chelsea getting into the game now, with Hazard providing the inspiration. He aims a low shot across the slick surface from about five yards outside the penalty box, causing Costel Pantilimon to flop his considerable frame behind it. Tremors felt as far away as Crewe.

Eden Hazard looks comfortable on the ball. His run contributes to Chelsea winning a corner. When the ball falls back to John Obi Mikel, he blazes high over the bar, with the ball still rising as it it passes Solihull.

Finally Chelsea get an effort on target, Frank Lampard's shot from the edge of the box going straight at Pantilimon. Very watchable game this.

There's a banner at the City end that says "93:20, 13 May 2012", referring to Sergio Aguero's goal that won them the title. That man Aguero is on the end of a James Milner cross from the City right, but the Argentine sends his header well wide. City very much on top, Costel Pantilimon has not yet had anything to do.

Another good effort from City, this time as a Vincent Kompany header is straight at Petr Cech. Sergio Aguero was lurking, and a touch from him would have seen the ball into the net. At the other end, Eden Hazard looks to pull of a flick, but only gets the ball tangled under his feet and falls over. Shades of David Dunn?

"Plenty of dash but very little panache in the early stages at Villa Park. City have, perhaps, found their rhythm a little more quickly than Chelsea but neither side has had the time to settle just yet with tackles snapping in all over the park.

"The empty seats in all four stands are something of a reminder that this game is not the showpiece it had been in years gone by but there is no doubting the commitment from both teams. John Terry is being booed by the City supporters every time he touches the ball but no genuine goalmouth action to speak of just yet."

Petr Cech again forced into action when an Aleksandar Kolarov corner looks to be dipping under the crossbar. Not many players in the City half right now.

City looking much livelier here. Sergio Aguero runs at the Chelsea defence, with the ball eventually falling to Samir Nasri on the left. Nasri pokes goalwards, but Petr Cech is out to smother the ball.

There are quite a few empty seats at Villa Park, and I'm being told that some fans have struggled to get to the ground because of problems on the M6. Jamelia was scheduled to sing the national anthem, but she didn't make it either.

A City corner on their left is flicked clear, bit only for another corner. There's plenty of wrestling in the box, but Chelsea get in clear. City looking the better side at the moment.

It's already good to watch this game, but not too much goalmouth action has come just yet. It looks like City are playing with three centre-backs, with James Milner and Aleksandar Kolarov acting as wing-backs.

It's Tevez, who looks like he's slimmed down over the summer, striking the free-kick, curling around the wall. It's on target, forcing Petr Cech to dive to his right and pull off a decent save. Good effort by Tevez.

An open start sees Aleksandar Kolarov get down the left and whip in a cross, but Chelsea clear. City keep the pressure on, though and a foul on Carlos Tevez wins them a free-kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the Chelsea box...

Crip Cooke on Twitter: "Torres, coming off the back of a great campaign in the Euros with Spain, should be brimming full of confidence today."

The players have been lined up to meet the various dignitaries and the national anthem has been sung. The 2012-13 season is about to get under way...

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo: "The ambition is always high, we are looking forward to next season where we are involved in a lot of competitions and we try to improve. Eden Hazard has great ability and a great final pass, so hopefully he can slot in and get used to the Premier League quickly."

Three members of the armed forces are going to carry the three trophies related to this match onto the pitch - the FA Cup, the Premier League and the Community Shield itself. The teams are lining up in the tunnel behind them, familiar faces all. Welcome back, old friends.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini: "Yes it is a harder challenge to stay at the top. If you are lucky, you can win a trophy but after that it is harder to stay there. We consider Jack Rodwell to be a good, young player. He will be an important midfielder for the England national team and for us. We need someone who wants to win, is good tactically and is a good player for the future."

Of course, it's not just this witty, insightful, interesting text commentary that will get you through the day. Those marvellous chaps at 5 live sports extra are just taking the airwaves. You can listen online too.

One other thing to keep in mind today is that if we're level after 90 minutes, it's straight to penalties. Personally, I think I'd quite like to see a shoot-out to get the season under way.

"The rain is thumping down in Birmingham. It's a pretty grim scene at present but if Mother Nature is attempting to make is all feel like the football season is suddenly upon us, she's doing a good job. Jamelia will be singing the national anthem, incidentally. She may need brolly if this deluge continues."

As well as being without Joe Hart, City will also be without striker Mario Balotelli. Awol? No. Fireworks-related injury? No. Crashed his quad bike? No. He's got conjunctivitis. Poor lamb.

You want facts? I have this gem to start us of. This is the first Community (or Charity) Shield not to involve Manchester United since 2006. That was the last time the match was played at the Millennium Stadium, so United miss out of the first occasion that it has been moved from the new Wembley.

"Romanian goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon comes into a City side that is also weakened by Joleon Lescott's absence. Stefan Savic, who was unconvincing at times last season, deputises while Roberto Mancini partners Sergio Aguero and a new lean, mean Carlos Tevez in attack. Pre-season reports suggest they have struck up quite a partnership - worth watching. Roberto Di Matteo fields arguably his strongest Chelsea side with Eden Hazard given the chance to shine behind Fernando Torres. The Spaniard no longer has the shadow of Didier Drogba looming over him and will be given time to prove he can establish himself as Chelsea's main man."

Just as I wonder where the new arrivals at Manchester City are, we get news of one man who looks set to be joining the champions. City have agreed a fee of £15m with Everton for midfielder Jack Rodwell, who will undergo a medical today. What do you make of that? Good buy for City? Bad news for Everton? Will Rodwell be play regularly for Mancini's men, or will he need a cushion for all the time he spends on the bench?

So, has the Community Shield got you doing the Mobot in excitement, or has it crept up faster than Usain Bolt running for a bus? Get in touch on Twitter using the hashtag #bbcfootball or text 81111. Get it all off your chest, even if you're not a fan of Man City or Chelsea. I'm particularly keen to hear your predictions for the new season. Who will win what? Which manager will be the first for the chop? Are you optimistic about your team's chances? I want to hear the lot, no matter what level of the game, from Premier League to Kidsgrove Athletic.

Of the three new signings at Chelsea this summer, only Eden Hazard could feature today, with Marko Marin nursing a hamstring injury and Oscar involved with the Brazil Olympic football team. As for Manchester City, not one new face has arrived at Etihad Stadium since they won the Premier League in such dramatic circumstances. No-one. Nadder.

A different venue is not the only slightly unusual aspect of this year's Community Shield. Whereas in years gone by the opening game of the new season would provide a first glimpse of a plethora of new signings worth hundreds of millions of pounds, the two teams on show today will have a very familiar feel.

Or at least tradition with an Italian feel, as two chaps called Roberto bring their sides to commence our nine-month football marathon. With the Olympics putting Wembley out of action, Premier League champions Manchester City and FA Cup holders Chelsea raise the metaphorical curtain at Villa Park.

Yep, on the day that the Olympics is whipped away like a Christmas present that breaks on Boxing Day, we unwrap the gift that will keep giving for the next nine months. While it may now be the vogue for top clubs to spend their summers playing friendlies against each other on tours of Nepal, the new season begins, as ever, with a hint of tradition.

In 280 days' time, the 2013 Premier League champions will be crowned. 280 days of last-minute dramas, refereeing howlers, sackings, signings, injuries, away trips to the other end of the country on wet Tuesday nights, dodgy pies, over-priced programmes, floodlight failures and Bovril begin now. Welcome back.