Manchester City moved three points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal with a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday evening.
Premier League
Result: Manchester City 3-1 Aston Villa
Date: 12 January 2023
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Man City were boosted by the return from injury of Ruben Dias, alongside recalls for Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan while Phil Foden was only fit enough to start from the bench after he recovered from injury.
City had a perfect start after Rodri fired them ahead in just the fourth minute with a downward header at the near post from a corner by Riyad Mahrez.
Pep Guardiola's charges had a one-way traffic after that, as they launched threatening attacks and Gundogan eventually doubled their lead six minutes before the break with a tap-in after a cut-back by Erling Haaland, who had raced clear on goal.
Villa shot themselves in the foot on the stroke of half-time after Jacob Ramsey conceded a penalty by tripping Jack Grealish in the box.
Mahrez kept his composure from the spot-kick and fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner to steer City out of sight.
Having a comfortable lead, Guardiola hooked Haaland at half-time as he was replaced by Julian Alvarez and Alvarez was in the thick of things a couple of minutes later after he set up Rodri to unleash a low drive that forced shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez into an out-stretched save.
Unai Emery's men had renewed energy in the second stanza after the Spanish mentor made a couple of changes and Ollie Watkins eventually pulled a goal back just after the hour-mark after going through on goal from a quick counter-attack on his 100th appearance for Villa.
With the game still having a sting to it in the closing stages, Guardiola eventually brought on Foden in place of Grealish for fresh legs upfront while Emery made an attacking and tactical move as Philippe Coutinho replaced Ashley Young.
The visitors had the momentum in the dying minutes after Coutinho gave them a lift going forward but Guardiola soon locked the game with a tactical change as Nathan Ake replaced Mahrez.
The Citizens clinched a win that reduced the gap behind leaders Arsenal in second place to just three points, although they have played a game more.
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