Aston Villa’s five-match Premier League winning streak came to an end at the Etihad Stadium following a last-minute goal, giving another twist to the Champions League qualification spots.
Both teams head to Wembley this weekend to play in the FA Cup Semi-Finals and could meet again in the final should they both be successful but tonights encounter was all about the Premier League.
Unai Emery made five changes to the side that brushed Newcastle United aside at the weekend as Marcus Rashford, Jacob Ramsey, Lucas Digne, Pau Torres and Amadou Onana all returned to the starting line-up.
Villa took an early lead against Newcastle at the weekend and came very close to doing the same when Rashford raced through, only to be denied by the post.
A huge blow followed for Villa after seven minutes when the home side took the lead. Omar Marmoush cut the ball back for Bernardo Silva, and his effort from 12 yards out went into the back of the net, leaving Emi Martinez disappointed in an effort he probably should have done better with.
Emery’s men refused to drop their heads and found themselves level not long after. Ramsey broke into City’s box before being taken down by Ruben Dias. Referee Craig Pawson failed to spot the foul, with VAR pulling the game back moments later. Rashford stepped up from the spot to pull the game level.
In the second half, Villa found themselves camped in their own half as they seemed to over respect an ageing City side. Villa overun City when they came to Villa Park earlier this season but struggled repeat this at the Etihad as City dominated.
Chances fell to James McAtee, but his audacious lob, which looked certain to go in as he beat Martinez, went wide of the post. Rashford had a chance of his own, but by the time he was able to unleash a shot, he was too wide with his effort, finding the side net.
As the game looked too draw to a close, it looked certain to finish all levels until Jérémy Doku beat Axel Disasi before picking out an unmarked Matheus Nunes at the far post, who was able to steal all three points for Pep Guardiola’s side.
