Matheus Nunes scored a dramatic 94th-minute winner to give Manchester City a crucial 2-1 victory over fellow Champions League contenders Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night. The result moves Pep Guardiola’s side up to third in the Premier League table.
In a potentially vital clash in the race for a top-five finish, City took an early lead when Bernardo Silva converted from the penalty spot in the seventh minute.
However, Aston Villa, featuring a revitalised Marcus Rashford, responded strongly. Rashford himself hit the post within the first 20 seconds after being played through by Youri Tielemans.
The visitors drew level in the 18th minute when Rashford confidently dispatched a controversial penalty, awarded after Rúben Dias was adjudged (following a VAR review, implied) to have fouled Jacob Ramsey inside the box. Guardiola was visibly angered by the decision, shaking his head when replays were shown at the start of the second half.
Rashford, now looking sharp since his move from Manchester United, spurned further opportunities to put Villa ahead, failing to beat Stefan Ortega in a one-on-one situation before halftime and firing into the side-netting from a tight angle later on.
City also missed chances, with James McAtee lifting the ball narrowly wide when clean through.
The match looked set to end level until deep into stoppage time. Substitute Jérémy Doku made a driving run down the left and delivered a superb low cross with the outside of his boot, perfectly teeing up Nunes at the far post to drill home his first Premier League goal of the season and spark jubilant celebrations from Guardiola and the home crowd.
The victory, City’s 15th consecutive home league win against Villa, lifts them to third place with 61 points. More importantly, it opens up a four-point gap over fifth-placed Chelsea and seventh-placed Aston Villa (both 57 points) in the tight battle for Champions League qualification. While their Premier League title defence may be over, securing a top-five spot remains a key objective for Guardiola’s side.
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