Match Report and Player Ratings: Manchester City 2-1 Aston Villa (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City earned a valuable three points in the battle for top five after a dramatic finish against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Bernardo Silva gave City the lead shortly before Marcus Rashford equalised from the spot in the opening twenty minutes. Super substitute Jeremy Doku created the winner for Matheus Nunes in the last moments of the game.

It was the visitors that had the opening chance in this fixture and it came through Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford. He was slipped in by Youri Tielemans and the forward managed to make space for a shot that struck the Manchester City post.

But Pep Guardiola’s men responded well and found the opening goal on the seven minute mark. Omar Marmoush danced past his defender on the left side before putting the ball into the Aston Villa penalty area where Bernardo Silva latched on and tucked away with a first-time finish.

The lead lasted less than ten minutes however with Marcus Rashford scoring from the penalty spot. Ruben Dias came across to block off Jacob Ramsey but tripped the midfielder as he entered the penalty area. Rashford passed the ball into the corner of the net with Ortega going the wrong way for the equaliser.

Captain Kevin De Bruyne was involved in the next few chances for the Blues with a header being saved by Martinez and then a corner from the Belgian found goal scoring defender Josko Gvardiol but the Croatian headed over.

Stefan Ortega was then needed to deny Rashford a second goal and made himself big to block the attempted chip from the Villa man shortly after Omar Marmoush’s header over the bar at the other end with the first half finishing level.

Josko Gvardiol’s eyes lit up at the start of the second half after a fabulous cross from McAtee seemed to be heading his way if it were not for Amadou Onana sliding in to steal the ball from the number twenty-four.

A series of corners from the current Premier League champions led to more chances to gain the advantage for a second time this game but neither efforts from Nico O’Reilly or Ruben Dias managed to trouble Emi Martinez in the Aston Villa goal.

City fans around the Etihad Stadium held their breaths as James McAtee’s chip landed narrowly wide of the post and out for a goal kick. De Bruyne had spotted the youngster in a counterattack and played the ball over with the outside of his boot to McAtee who was unlucky to not find the back of the net.

At the other end, Marcus Rashford thought he had squeezed the ball in from a tight angle after racing past the defenders and Stefan Ortega. The German goalkeeper did well to force Rashford wide on the right-side.

The Manchester City academy graduates were proving to be the more dangerous threats in sky-blue shirts and they almost combined to restore the lead for the Cityzens. Nico O’Reilly put a great ball into the box for McAtee who mistimed his kick and allowed Martinez to make the save.

Omar Marmoush thought he may had scored the winner with ten minutes to play but the Egyptian was flagged for offside after his composed finish into the bottom corner. Aston Villa substitute Ollie Watkins had a similar feeling at the other end as his shot almost gave the visitors the lead but he too was flagged offside.

In the dying moments of the game Matheus Nunes smashed the ball into the back of the net to give City the winner and a valuable victory in the tense game. A fabulous bit of play from substitute Jeremy Doku and a De Bruyne-esque cross found the Portuguese international at the back post for the winner.

Manchester City will now be looking to Wembley as they battle Nottingham Forest in the semi-final of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon in the Blue’s last trophy hope of this campaign.

Here’s how we rated the Manchester City players from a monumental win in the race to secure UEFA Champions League football next season!

Starting XI

Stefan Ortega Moreno – 6

Couldn’t do anything about the penalty, made a good save in the first half.

Matheus Nunes – 7.5 (POTM)

Looked good at times going forward but Villa countered quite a lot. Scored the late winner.

Ruben Dias – 5

Unlucky penalty to give away. Was okay afterwards and played a role in the opener.

Josko Gvardiol – 6

Did his job at the back but picked up a silly yellow card.

Nico O’Reilly – 7

Liked his want to go forward and create chances. Not afraid to put a ball into the box.

Mateo Kovacic – 6

Moved the ball around the Villa midfield but lacked penetration.

James McAtee – 7

Unlucky not to get on the score sheet with two chances in the second half.

Bernardo Silva – 7

Was in the right place at the right time for the goal.

Ilkay Gundogan – 6

Had a different role today and moved the ball around the final third.

Kevin De Bruyne – 6.5

Played some intricate passes into the forwards and had strong deliveries from corners.

Omar Marmoush – 6.5

Quick on the ball and always wanting to go forwards and create.

Substitutes

Jeremy Doku – 8

Made the difference at the end of the game and created the winner.

Manuel Akanji – 6

Came on with seconds to play so didn’t get to do much.