Manchester City kept the pressure up on league leaders Arsenal after they comfortably beat Aston Vila 3-1 at the Etihad today.
After a week that saw their club charged by the Premier League for financial breaches, Man City fans will have been delighted to see their side take the lead after just four minutes. Riyad Mahrez floated a corner in from the left and Spanish midfielder Rodri rose highest to head past Emi Martinez at the near post.
On 39 minutes Pep Guardiola’s team made it two when Ilkay Gundogan arrived at the back post to steer home Erling Haaland’s low cross.
If it wasn’t already, the game was effectively over in first-half injury time when Mahrez curled home a penalty after Jack Grealish was taken down in the area by Jacob Ramsey.
On the hour mark Villa would get a consolation goal via Oli Watkins, the English striker finishing well when one-on-one with Ederson on what was his 100th appearance for the Villains.
Today’s win see Man City move to within three points of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table ahead of a mouthwatering clash between the pair next Wednesday. Speaking afterwards City boss Guardiola insisted his side will be going to the Emirates in search of all three points.
“Arsenal have a game in hand,” Guardiola told Sky Sports.
”We will see after all the games when the Premier League is finished. But we are going to London to try and get a win. When one team has made 50 points in the first leg it is because they are very good. we closed the gap today because the performance from the team was really really good.
“Supporters were really good today. I know they know our team has goals. In general it was really really good.”
