Matheus Nunes scored a ban-winning winner for Manchester City to win a 2-1 dramatic victory over Aston Villa who removes them up to third place on the Premier League table.
She lit the jubilee scene of the celebration within the Etihad stadium with Pep Guardiola leading them, his team now well located to secure the Champions League football next season, ending their five -winning rivals in the league.
Bernardo Silva put the city ahead early, but Marcus Rashford, who had hit the post after 17 seconds, was leveled for Villa from the penalty spot after a VAR intervention for a Foul from Ruben Dias on Jacob Ramsey. The city continued to push and push for the winner.
Nunes found it and its purpose means that City is now a point ahead of Nottingham Forest in the Champions League countries, with the Uni Emery villa still seventy – though only four points after the city. The race remains close. But this was a big moment for the city.
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Manchester City Fume as VAR intervenes to submit Aston Villa a penalty
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Matheus Nunes wins it for Manchester City in a life outcome against Aston Villa
How did it play in Etihad
“He made a big call,” Roy Keane said before starting with Emery’s decision to start Rashford ahead of Ollie Watkins, who has impressed his two past Premier League shows. But Rashford was a Livewire from seconds of opening.
He hit the post after 17 of them, an early warning of Villa’s ability to cause problems for the city. But Villa’s task became more difficult when Emiliano Martinez somehow allowed Silva’s blow to pass her after good work by Omar Marmosi abroad.
Guardiola chose to play Silva along with Mateo Kovacic in midfield, with Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan in front of them. The quartet is over 30 years old and offers real control in possession, but it leaves the city sensitive in against -Sulm – and so it was proven.
Craig Pawson did not notice in real time that Dias had kidnapped Ramsey but the VAR intervention resulted in a penalty that scored Rashford. It has been over 20 years now that the city has accepted this many goals at home in a Premier League season. But they have resolved.
It was the Guardiola’s team that pushed the winner, James Mcatee, desperately approaching a lobster over Martinez widely singing. Although Rashford rounded up Stefan Ortega before hitting the side network, the pressure was built in the villa.
After all, it was the presentation of Jeremy Doku as a substitute that confirmed the key, finding space below the left and playing a ball ball behind the back line that Nunes was available to finish. Nunes simply being there, playing like a right -back, spoke volumes.
“You can’t imagine City and Guardiola not in the Champions League,” Gary Neville said before. One night when it will be felt for many fans within the stadium that it was on the line, their team had just to end the excellent form of Villa.
What did the players say …
Man City Match winning Matheus Nunes Talking about Sky Sports:
“The game was important. Very difficult game against a harsh opponent. We came with the mentality we needed to win.
“Perfect time! It couldn’t have come at a better time. We’ll see at the end of the season. It will be very important.”
City -defense Ruben’s days Talking about Sky Sports:
“They are on the run in the first five with us. Special game to get three points. Four games to go and all of them will be massively important. We continue to continue.
“We know how close it is and how narrow it will be to the end. I can’t determine how important it was today.
“That means everything to us. We know exactly what circumstances we are, the first four or five means everything. This is our main trophy. We have the World Cup and Club World Cup, but that’s all for us.”
Aston Villa Tielemans yoursi Talking about Sky Sports:
“Frustrating to lose in the last minute. We have really fought a lot. We blocked a lot. To lose it, it’s frustrating. We get the first chance and they get the last. They score and we don’t. That’s really frustrating.
“We have four games left. We will give them all and hope to go back to where we want to be, in the Champions League positions.”
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Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola says his team has not been used to scoring the last minute winners!
What did managers say
Man’s chief coach Pep Guardiola Talking about Sky Sports:
“We’re not used to it! The last minute victory belongs to Liverpool. We’re not used to it, so I’m really happy. We are in the last four games, we know the Champions League contenders like Aston Villa, they are one of the best teams in Europe.
“We played very well. Aggressive in our duels and four back were incredible. Really pleased.
“Football is emotion. The last two matches were so difficult, so we’re really satisfied. I was so happy. I have to admit it! Try not missing as 1-1 was not a bad result, but Jeremy’s action was so good.
“The team fought a lot. The performance was really good. It’s a fantastic team.
“The season has been bad. It doesn’t matter to the final or if we end up in the Champions League. What makes you feel good is the Premier League. It happened and sometimes you have bad seasons. Liverpool will be champion and team level is extraordinary.”
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Roy Keane believes Man City can still have a good season despite Pep Guardiola’s disappointment
Aston Villa manager Unai emery Talking about Sky Sports:
“We can’t waste time. We raced well and close to the drawing. We tried to win with the substitutes. They did the same and they scored.
“We played a competitive match and had our chances. We had to accept it.
“It’s a moment to be positive. I will analyze the match. We are trying to focus on the match for Saturday (FA Cup semifinal).
“We’re playing at this level and want to try and compete. We try to seek to build a strong structure. Today we played and competed, but I’m so happy. I can’t spend time.”
