Manchester City closed in on the Premier League title as the leaders fought back to win 2-1 at Aston Villa on Wednesday in their first matc...
Manchester City closed in on the Premier League title as the leaders fought back to win 2-1 at Aston Villa on Wednesday in their first match since withdrawing from the European Super League.
Pep Guardiola’s side were rocked by John McGinn’s opener for Villa after just 20 seconds.
But City recovered impressively as Phil Foden equalised before Rodri put the visitors ahead.
City defender John Stones threatened to derail his team’s charge when he was sent off for a reckless foul on Jacob Ramsey just before half-time.
However, Villa were reduced to 10 men as well when Matty Cash earned a second booking for chopping down Foden in the second half.
City are 11 points clear of second placed Manchester United and need a maximum of eight points from their remaining five games to clinch a third Premier League title in four seasons.
“Not the start I dreamed of but we reacted very well. It was a really good performance,” Guardiola said.
“Phil Foden’s influence in our games is massive. He’s becoming a serious player.”
City’s bid for an unprecedented quadruple was shattered in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final defeat against Chelsea.
That loss, coming a week after 10-man Leeds won at the Etihad Stadium, raised the possibility of a remarkable late-season collapse from a City side who led...
