Man City 2 – 1 Vila Aston

Matheus Nunes scored a stopper winner for Manchester City to earn a dramatic 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, who raised them to third place in the Premier League table.

This caused cheerful scenes of celebrations within the Etihad stadium, led by Pep Guardiola, and his side is now well located to secure the Champions League football next season, stopping winning five games in the league.

Bernardo Silva put City early in front, but Marcus Rashford, who hit the spot after 17 seconds, equalized for a villa from the penalty area after the VAR intervention for the offense of Ruben Dias on Jacob Ramsey. The city continued to push and push themselves for the winner.

Nunes found it, and his goal means that the city is now one point in front of Nottingham Forest’s Champions League videos, and Vila Unai Emery is still seventh – although only four points behind the city. The race remains close. But this was a huge moment for the city.

How did he play in Etihada

“He called a big call,” Roy Keane said before the start of Emery’s decision to start Rashford in front of Ollie Watkins, who impressed in the last two appearances in the Premier League. But Rashford was Livewire from introductory seconds.

He achieved a place after 17 of them, which is an early warning of the villa to the ability to create problems for the city. But Villa’s task became harder when Emiliano Martinez somehow allowed Silva’s shooting to break past him after the good work of Omar Marmoush wide.

Guardiola decided to play Silva along with Mate Kovacic in the middle of the field, with Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan. The quartet is more than 30 years old and offers real control in possession, but the city leaves sensitive to counter -attacks – and so it turned out.

Craig Pawson did not notice in real time that Dias stumbled to Ramsey, but the intervention of Var resulted in a punishment that Rashford had achieved. It’s been over 20 years since City received so many goals at home in the Premier League season. But they decided.

It was the Guardiola’s side that most severely pushed the winner, James McATEE desperately approaching the lobe over Martinez, who was widely extinguished. Although Rashford rounded up Stefan Ortega before hitting the side net, he upgraded the pressure on the villa.

In the end, it was the introduction of Jeremy Loca as a replacement that proved to be a key, finding a space on the left and playing an attractive ball behind the back line Nunes was available to finish. Nunes is only there, playing like the right back, the volume spoke.

“You can’t imagine that the city and Guardiola not in the Champions League,” Gary Neville said before. On the night when he will feel many fans in the stadium that it was up, their team had only enough to end the great part of the villa form.

What did the players say …

Winner of the MAN City match Matheus Nunes In an interview with Sky Sports:

“The game was important. A very difficult game against a heavy opponent. We came with the mentality we needed to win.

“The perfect time! It couldn’t have come at a better time. We’ll see at the end of the season. It will be very important.”

Defender of Man City Ruben Days In an interview with Sky Sports:

“They are on the run in the top five with us. A special game to get three points. Four games and everything will be massively important. We continue on.

“We know how tight it is and how tight it will be to the end. I cannot quantify how important it is today.

“That means everything to us. We know exactly what circumstances we are, the best of four or five means everything. This is our main trophy. We have a FA Cup and Club World Cup, but this is all for us.”

Midfielder Aston Villa Youri Tielemans In an interview with Sky Sports:

“It’s frustrating to lose it at the last minute. We fought very hard. We blocked almost everything. Losing so, it’s frustrating. We get the first opportunity and they get the last one. They score and we don’t. It’s football. Really frustrating.

“There are four games for us. We will do everything and hope that we will come back where we want to be, in the Champions League positions.”

What did managers say …

Main coach Man City Pep Guardiola In an interview with Sky Sports:

“We’re not used to! Victory in the last minute belongs to Liverpool. We’re not used to it, so I’m really happy. In the last four games, we know candidates for the Champions League like Aston Villa, they are one of the best teams in Europe.

“We played very well. Aggressive in the duel, and on the back were four amazing. Really satisfied.

“Football is emotion. The last two games were so difficult, so we’re very pleased. I was so happy. I have to admit it! Try not to lose because 1-1 was not a bad result, but the Jeremy’s action was so good.

“The team fought a lot. The performance was really good. It’s a fantastic team.

“The season was bad. It doesn’t matter in the finals or if we end up in the Champions League. What you feel is good is the Premier League. It happened and sometimes you have bad season. Liverpool will be champions and team levels are extraordinary.”

Leader Aston Villa Unai emery In an interview with Sky Sports:

“We can’t waste time. We competed well and close to drawing. We tried to win with replacements. They did the same and achieved achievement.

“We played a competitive match and we had our chances. We had to accept it.

“It’s a moment to be positive. I’ll analyze the match. We’re trying to focus on a Saturday (semifinals FA Cup) match.

“We play on this level and want to try to compete. We try to be demanding to build a strong structure. We played and competed today, but I’m so happy. I can’t waste time.”

The story of a match in statistics

What comes in the Premier League?