Villa finally cave to slick City attack

BERNARDO Silva and Ilkay Gundogan struck late on as Manchester City maintained their title charge with a hardfought 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

The hosts spurned a succession of great chances amid a relentless downpour at the Etihad Stadium but finally broke through with Silva’s spectacular strike 11 minutes from time. Gundogan then wrapped up City’s sixth successive Premier League win from the penalty spot in the final minute after a handball by Matty Cash.

In all City racked up 28 attempts at goal and they had numerous other openings on a night when they missed having a specialist centre-forward for most of the game.

Yet Villa deserved huge credit for acquitting themselves well on their return to action. Aside from an FA Cup tie in which they fielded a youthful side, it was their first game since New Year’s Day following a Covid-19 outbreak at the club.

But the visitors’ luck finally ran out on 79 minutes after Mings lost possession to Rodri in a dangerous area.

The Spaniard found the onrushing Silva and the Portuguese cut inside before slamming a left-foot shot into the top corner from 18 yards. The relief was obvious as he raced away to slide on the saturated turf. But Villa were left fuming after Rodri appeared to return from an offside position to capitalise on Mings’ lack of control and manager Dean Smith was sent off by referee John Moss for his complaints.

City wrapped up the win in the 90th minute through Gundogan after Cash handled a header from substitute Jesus.