Incredible goals from Dias and Silva are just about enough for Manchester City. The visitors win 2-1 in a close encounter at Aston Villa.
Superb first-half efforts from Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva gave Manchester City a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa, in a pulsating, Wednesday English Premier League (EPL) encounter.
The home side got one back through Ollie Watkins to make a game of it in the second half. However, City earned the win to stay second in the EPL table on 32 points from 14 games, one behind first-placed, Chelsea.
Villa remain in 13th, on 16 points, after registering their first defeat under new manager, Steven Gerrard.
City dominated the first 45 minutes and twice went close in the opening stages, as home goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez, blocked stinging shots from João Cancelo and Rodri.
The visitors took a 27th-minute lead through Dias, when the Portugal centre-back beat Martínez with a first-time shot from 20 metres after Raheem Sterling’s cutback flew across the penalty area.
City’s second goal was a lesson in counter-attacking football. Pep Guardiola’s side broke away, under pressure in their own penalty area, and found the home side’s net in a matter of seconds.
Cancelo played a short pass to Riyad Mahrez which beat two Villa forwards. The Algeria international then supplied Gabriel Jesus on the right-wing, who lifted a perfect cross for Silva to smash in an unstoppable volley!
Steven Gerrard’s outfit sprung back into life shortly after the break, as Watkins found space in a packed penalty area to rifle in a half-volley from 10 metres after the forward met a low Douglas Luiz corner.
The home side missed a golden opportunity to rescue a point in the 75th minute. But City keeper, Ederson, saved substitute Carney Chukwuemeka’s weak effort, and the visitors held on in the final minutes.
