Aguero grabs winner for Manchester City as Laporte makes return

Sergio Aguero came off the bench to score a sixth goal in his last three Premier League games and earn Manchester City a 1-0 win over Sheffield United on Tuesday.

The Argentina striker tapped in at the far post in the 73rd minute following another perfectly weighted cross from Kevin De Bruyne, giving the Belgian his 15th assist of the campaign.

Aguero had come on six minutes earlier as a substitute for Gabriel Jesus, who had a first-half penalty saved by Dean Henderson.

As important as the victory for City was the return of France center back Aymeric Laporte after nearly five months out with a serious knee injury.

Laporte, City's best defender, was roughed up by Sheffield United's players - the Frenchman was taken out by Mo Besic in a dangerous tackle and then elbowed to the ground attempting to defend a corner, both in the first half - but left the field in the 78th minute with City's clean sheet intact.

City manager Pep Guardiola gave him a pat on the back.

Second-place City moved 13 points behind Liverpool, having played two games more than the runaway leaders.

Aguero is going through a midseason revival, having scored a hat trick against Aston Villa before netting two late goals in a draw with Crystal Palace last weekend.

He now has 16 goals in the league this season, putting him one behind top scorer Jamie Vardy of Leicester.

Villa scores late winner to beat Watford 2-1 in EPL

Tyrone Mings' last-gasp winner gave Aston Villa a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Watford on Tuesday to lift the club out of the Premier League relegation zone.

The defender was credited with the goal after Ezri Konsa's shot deflected off him into the net in the fifth minute of stoppage time with virtually the last touch of the game to secure the victory.

Douglas Luiz had come off the bench to level for the hosts in the 68th minute, canceling out Troy Deeney's first-half opener.

The result ended a six-match unbeaten streak in the league for a resurgent Watford side, which fell back into the relegation zone in 19th place.

Villa moved up to 16th place, two points clear of the drop zone.

Watford took the lead when Gerard Deulofeu exchanged passes with Abdoulaye Doucoure on the right and sent in a cross for Deeney to power in a header from five yards.

But Villa leveled against the run of play when Luiz smashed in a rebound at the far post.

That gave Villa some momentum but dogged Watford defending kept the hosts at bay until the fifth minute of stoppage time.