Manchester City may have been charged by the Premier League over financial breaches, but they are on the charge after a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa.
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The reigning champions are now just three points adrift of leaders Arsenal and will move to the summit, albeit on goal difference and having played a game more, if they can topple the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. There were no signs of the punishment threats hanging over City being a distraction during their meeting with Villa, as Rodri glanced home from a corner inside the opening four minutes. By the 15-minute mark, Ilkay Gundogan – who scored twice against the Villans on the final day last season to wrap up another title triumph – saw one effort saved and another that hit the net ruled out for a foul by Erling Haaland on Emi Martinez. Jack Grealish also went close against his former club as the home side – in front of vocal and passionate support – relentlessly knocked on the door without forcing it open again.
A further breakthrough was, however, only a matter of time, and it duly arrived in the 39th minute when Gundogan got his customary goal against Villa after being teed up by Haaland – who passed up the chance to shoot himself after beating Martinez to a bouncing ball. It was three before half-time when Jacob Ramsey felled Grealish inside the box and Riyad Mahrez made no mistake from the penalty spot. City were always likely to take their foot off the gas a little – with Haaland withdrawn at the break – and Ollie Watkins did pull one back for Villa with half-an-our left on the clock as he raced through a gaping hole in the Blues’ defence to roll beyond Ederson, but the end result was never in doubt despite Jhon Duran striking the crossbar late on.
