Matheus Nunes the unlikely hero as Man City take step towards Champions League | OneFootball

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Matheus Nunes’ stoppage-time strike sealed Manchester City a potentially crucial win against top-five rivals Aston Villa as the quest for Champions League qualification intensifies.

Neither side could afford a slip-up on Tuesday as the FA Cup semi-finalists sought to head to Wembley on the back of an important result in the battle to reach European football’s top table.

Marcus Rashford looked to have secured Villa a point after the forward, on loan from Manchester United, scored from the spot shortly after Emiliano Martinez allowed a Bernardo Silva strike to creep home early in the first half.

City dominated possession and the shot count, with Nunes converting substitute Jeremy Doku’s low cross to secure victory in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Pep Guardiola’s men moved up third on 61 points after Tuesday’s triumph, with Unai Emery’s Villa four points back in seventh after losing in the league for the first time since February.