A goal deep in stoppage time has helped Manchester City claim a 2-1 win over Aston Villa in a Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, sending the Cityzens into third place on the Premier League table.
Both sides came into the fixture with the intention of stealing a win which would boost either team’s UEFA Champions League hopes, but it was the Pep Guardiola’s side who prevailed at the end of the day to open up a four-point advantage over the Villans.
Unai Emery’s Villa nearly found the breakthrough just 17 seconds after kick-off, only for Marcus Rashford’s effort to crash off the post as City’s nerves were rattled early on.
Those nerves were calmed seven minutes later as Bernardo Silva put City ahead when Omar Marmoush raced past Villa right-back Matty Cash before cutting the ball back for the Portuguese international to score.
Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez got his hands on the ball, but could not stop it from sailing into the back of the net. City’s lead would only last 10 minutes in what turned out to be a thrilling opening half in Manchester.
The visitors drew level through Marcus Rashford via a penalty after the video assistant referee (VAR) adjudged that Ruben Dias had clipped Jacob Ramsey in the box, hence the penalty decision.
Rashford stepped forward and duly converted the spot-kick, sending City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega the wrong way. The tie seemed destined to be heading for a draw but former Wolves man Matheus Nunes fired home Jeremy Doku’s cross in the 94th minute to hand City the win.
City move up two places to third on the Premier League table on 61 points, albeit having played a game more, while Villa – who have lost 15 successive games at the Etihad Stadium, remain seventh on 57 points.