MAN CITY 2, ASTON VILLA 1
Matheus Nunes was an unlikely hero as his last-gasp goal gave Manchester City a huge victory against Aston Villa, an arch-rival for a Champions League place.
City’s right back struck the match-winning goal in the 94th minute with game seemingly petering out into a 1-1 draw.
It was a fourth goal of the season, but first in the Premier League, from Nunes, normally a midfielder, with his last strike coming at the end of October.
The win lifts City to third place and, significantly, four points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea – England has been given five Champions League places for the 2025/26 season.
It had looked as though City’s remarkable run of 14 straight home league wins against Villa would come to an end – Villa last won at the Etihad in April 2007.
City manager Pep Guardiola said: “I’m really happy. We’re in the last four in the last five games and a Champions League contender for qualification.
“Aston Villa is a team to the last man, one of the top teams in Europe.
“We played really good. We were aggressive in our duels, the back four was unbelievable.
“Football is emotion. For the fans, players, we have a lot of pressure for the club to go to the Champions League.
“The players behave unbelievable – we are so pleased.
“The action from Jeremy Doku, he can create something with his pace.He had right players in the box. Football if you’re in this business to live with the disappointment.
“The performance was really good, and we were able to do it.
“The season has been bad. The reality is what makes you feel good is the Premier League.
“But it happens, sometimes you have bad seasons. The level of the teams [in the Premier League] is outstanding.”
City defender Ruben Dias added: “They [Aston Villa] are on the run with us to this top five and it was a special game to get the three points.
“Four games to go and all of them will be massively important. Important today to get the three points.
“We know how tight it is and how tight it’s going to be till the end. It is a massive step for us.
“This means everything to us. We know exactly the circumstances we are in. Top four and top five means everything to us. This is our Premier League to us.”
Villa manager Unai Emery, whose side slipped to seventh place, admitted they lost while chasing a winner.
He said: “I was not happy with one point and wanted to push for a winner which they also did and scored.
“Manchester City are also fighting for the Champions League and they are more of a contender than us.
“We have to accept the defeat. We played a competitive match for 90 minutes and played the match what I had expected in my mind.
Embed from Getty Images“I am happy and proud overall of everything we are doing this season.”
James McAtee and Mateo Kovacic returned to the City starting line-up with Nico Gonzalez and Savinho dropping to the bench as Guardiola stuck with the same squad that he had for Saturday’s win at Everton.
Marcus Rashford was one of five changes to the Aston Villa side that hammered Newcastle at the weekend.
Pau Torres came in for Tyrone Mings, who was not involved, while John McGinn joined Ollie Watkins on the bench.
Villa almost made a dream start when Rashford hit the upright after only 18 seconds after running on to Youri Tieleman’s through ball.
But City went ahead in the seventh minute as Silva came up with a huge goal, only his fourth of the season and first since Boxing Day.
Omar Marmoush broke down the left and drove to the byline before his cut back was deflected to Silva whose drive was helped into the net by keeper Emiliano Martinez who will be disappointed not to keep out the ball.
There was drama when Villa were awarded a controversial 17th minute penalty for Ruben Dias’ challenge of Jacob Ramsey.
Referee Craig Pawson waved play on and it continued for some time before VAR John Brooks alerted the match official to go to the pitchside monitor when he quickly pointed to the spot after reviewing the contact.
Rashford stepped up to send keeper Stefan Ortega the wrong way from the spot for his fourth goal for Villa and 11th overall for the campaign. It was also his sixth Premier League goal against City.
After an explosive start, the match settled with Villa slowing the tempo to take the sting out of City’s game with Martinez the chief perpetrator of this tactic.
City only rarely threatened with a long-range drive from Kovacic forcing a diving save from Martinez.
Rashford, meanwhile, had another chance as he found himself through on goal only for Ortega to race from his goal to block.
City camped in the Villa half for much of the opening stages of the second period, but Villa defended resolutely.
They had a great chance to regain the lead after an hour when Kevin De Bruyne released James McAtee who, spotting Martinez off his line, lobbed the keeper only to see the ball flash just wide of the upright.
Kovacic forced a diving save from Martinez with a sweetly struck volley from distance.
At the other end, Rashford burst through on goal and rounded Ortega only to shoot into the side netting from the tightest of angles.
City made their first change with 16 minutes left as McAtee made way for Jeremy Doku.
Marmoush had the ball in the net with 10 minutes left but was flagged for a clear offside.
Five added minutes were signalled and four had been played when Nunes struck as the ground erupted because City fans knew the significance of the victory.
City then made a second change as De Bruyne was replaced by Manuel Akanji.