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 man-of-the-match Rodri revealed that he feels his side took ‘a step forward’ with today’s win.
“Today was a game to show that we are in good shape, and from the first minute we did a great game. We are happy and now every game is a final for us,” Rodri told Sky Sports.
“Here at the Etihad we feel if we score in the first minutes then the game is for us, so we are happy with the performance.”
“We know there are a lot of games to go, but it’s a big one for us. We have to show we are better.
”They have been incredible but we made a step forward in this game, and we want to show the best version of Manchester City.”
