Manchester City 2 – 1 Aston Villa
A last-minute goal in the 94th minute saw Manchester City jump two spots in the league table, securing a thrilling 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.
Both teams found the net early in the game, but after that, neither could break the deadlock. With the match heading toward a draw, Mateus Nunes sealed the win for City in the dying moments, sparking wild celebrations. This victory lifts Pep Guardiola’s side to third place in the Premier League.
The match, held at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night, ended 2-1 in favor of the defending champions.
Bernardo Silva gave City the lead, but Marcus Rashford equalized for Villa from the penalty spot. In the fourth minute of added time, Nunes scored the winner, marking his first Premier League goal for City.
This was City’s third consecutive win in the league, and they remain unbeaten in their last six matches. At home, they extended their winning streak against Villa to 15 matches.
This crucial win has brightened City’s chances of finishing in the top five and securing a spot in next season’s Champions League.
With 61 points from 34 matches, City are now third in the Premier League. Nottingham Forest, with 60 points from 33 matches, are fourth, while Newcastle United, with 59 points, drop to fifth.
Chelsea and Villa both have 57 points, with Chelsea sitting in sixth (33 matches) and Villa in seventh (34 matches).
Arsenal are second with 66 points from 33 games, and Liverpool, with 79 points, are on the brink of securing the title.
Villa nearly took the lead in the first minute, but Marcus Rashford’s shot hit the post after a good run into the box.
City broke the deadlock in the 7th minute. A cross from a teammate was controlled by Omar Marmoush, who made a run down the left side and cut the ball back from the byline. Bernardo Silva’s shot was blocked by goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, but the ball deflected off him and into the net.
However, City’s lead didn’t last long. In the 18th minute, Rashford scored from the penalty spot, leveling the score for Villa. A challenge by Ruben Dias on Jacob Ramsey in the box led to a penalty after VAR review.
The second half continued with both teams creating chances. In the 60th minute, City almost regained the lead when Kevin De Bruyne passed to James McAtee, who took a chip shot from outside the box, but the ball went just wide of the post.
Moments later, Rashford nearly scored after bypassing the goalkeeper, but his shot went into the side netting. McAtee also had a chance but couldn’t get a clean shot off in the box.
In the 80th minute, Marmoush thought he had scored for Villa, but his goal was ruled offside.
With the match heading for a draw, Nunes struck in the final moments. A pass from Jeremy Doku on the left found Nunes, who blasted the ball into the net from close range, securing the win for City.
