Steven Gerrard suffered his first defeat as Aston Villa boss as Man City secured a 2-1 victory at Villa Park to keep the pressure up on Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Pep Guardiola’s side produced a scintillating opening 45 minutes of football and took a deserved lead into the half-time break thanks to Ruben Dias’ strike and a stunning volley from Bernardo Silva after a blistering counter-attack from the visitors.
Despite City’s early dominance, Aston Villa gave an excellent account of themselves and they hit back straight after the interval through Ollie Watkins.
It set up a tense finish to the game and substitute Carney Chukwuemeka was brilliantly denied an equaliser by Ederson as Man City, who brought on Jack Grealish late in the game as the GBP100m signing returned to boos at his former club, held on for a hard-fought victory that keeps them second in the table behind Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Villa’s winning start under Gerrard comes to an end as they stay 13th.
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‘City were breathtaking; Bernardo’s strike one of the best’
Clinton Morrison on Soccer Special:
“In the second half, Aston Villa were good.
“Whatever Steven Gerrard said to them at half-time, there was a big response and they got back into it thanks to Ollie Watkins’ well-worked goal.
“However, first half, Manchester City were breathtaking. They are an outstanding football team. When they get it right and play the one or two touch football, it’s so brilliant to watch.
“And Bernardo Silva, for me, at this moment, he’s one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
“His goal is one of the best goals ever. “
What’s next?
Aston Villa now host Leicester on Super Sunday at 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports Premier League, while Man City are at Watford on Saturday Night Football at 5.30pm, also live on Sky Sports Premier League.