SERGIO AGUERO will not be winning the Premier League title this year but he has now secured something which does not come with a trophy.
But it is infinitely more precious and even more impressive.
Man City striker Sergio Aguero made history as his hat-trick destroyed lowly VillaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Sergio Aguero rounds off his triple with the sixth goal for Man City nine minutes from timeCredit: Reuters
Riyahd Mahrez struck twice in the first 24 minutes as Man City dominated in styleCredit: Getty – Contributor
Aguero scored a hat-trick as Villa Park to become the highest- scoring overseas footballer in English history with 177 goals, two more than Thierry Henry.
Riyad Mahrez also scored twice, with Gabriel Jesus getting the other, in what was also a humiliating Villa debut for Danny Drinkwater, who was at the crime scene for four of the goals.
Anwar El Ghazi’s stoppage-time reply was barely a consolation as Villa sit in the drop zone drop zone, following Watford’s 3-0 win at Bournemouth.
But once again, Aguero showed his stunning quality – along with his tremendous work-rate and it is beyond doubt he will not only be remembered as a City legend but one of the game’s true greats who have come to this country.
Along with Henry, Eric Cantona, Dennis Bergkamp, Gianfranco Zola, Ossie Ardiles and Paolo Di Canio and Vincent Kompany, all players who came to these shores and made their mark in many different ways.
Meanwhile, the day was not as memorable for Danny Drinkwater who suffered a horror show.
Incredibly, this was only Drinkwater’s only his fourth appearance since he started for Chelsea in a 1-0 loss to City on March 2, 2018.
BRUTAL REMINDER
And even stranger was the fact that of Drinkwater’s previous four games, three of them had been against City including Burnley’s 4-1 loss in December.
The 29-year-old had a few nice touches early on but he was given a brutal reminder of how a player can be hung out to dry when they are not at his sharpest.
Mahrez was allowed a free run at the defence and while his ex-Leicester team-mate came across to cover.
But he was embarrassingly shrugged off by the Algerian, who then spotted a gap at the near post and stuck the ball past Nyland.
Drinkwater was caught dozing again and this was schoolboy stuff all round
He was robbed of the ball by David Silva who fed Mahrez who lashed the ball into the net.
But also guilty of some dreadful defending were Ezri Konsa and Ahmed El Mohamady were overpowered by Aguero.
Sergio Agueo shows his poaching pedigree as he nips in to make it 5-0Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Keeper Orjan Nyland is powerless to keep out this strike from Riyad Mahrez as Man City went o 2-0 in frontCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Gabriel Jesus makes it 4-0 just before the break to confirm a first-half masterclass from Man CityCredit: PA:Empics Sport
It was simply not Aguero’s ball to win but he still managed to embarrass both his opponents directly in front of the Holte End.
Drinkwater’s dismal 10 minute spell got worse as he was easily brushed off by Kevin De Bruyne who then fed Aguero for him to shoot through the flailing arms of Orjan Nyland.
You could see not only what it meant to Aguero – who had now equalled Henry’s record – but also to Guardiola who used both arms to punch the air with delight.
And in first half stoppage time, Drinkwater was hopelessly off the pace and could not get near De Bruyne who then delivered an outrageous pass for Jesus to score at the far post.
You could see not only what it meant to Aguero – who had now equalled Henry’s record – but also to Guardiola who used both arms to punch the air with delight.
And in first half stoppage time, Drinkwater was hopelessly off the pace and could not get near De Bruyne who then delivered an outrageous pass for Jesus to score at the far post.
In fairness to Villa’s fans, many in the main stand applauded as the players approached the tunnel and you can only guess it was for the away team.
Aguero upset the locals by having a spat with Jack Grealish although he did start the exchange by shoving the young midfielder to the ground as he attempted to win the ball.
City star Aguero was scowling but was soon smiling when he sprung the home offside trap to reach Silva’s through pass and he was never going to allow Tyrone Mings anywhere near the ball and he poked it into the bottom corner.
Drinkwater was put out of his misery with 11 minutes left and was replaced by Henri Lansbury.
And Aguero then got goal number three by hammering the ball past Nyland after Kortney Hause gifted the ball to Mahrez. You simply cannot make errors like that at this level and Villa now have a major fight on their hands for survival.
With Tom Heaton and Jed Steer injured, Orjan Nyland is VIlla’s goalkeeper but watching in Pepe Reina was watching in the stands and he will have a chance of facing Brighton on Saturday.
But Reina would have been glad he was not playing against the history-making Aguero.
Not that Villa fans had much to shout about but they got an injury-time spot-kick after Trezeguet was fouled by Ilkay Gundogan, El Ghazi tucking it past Ederson with the last kick of the game.
Villa debutant Danny Drinkwater is behind the game and City magician Kevin de Bruyne again as their midfield performances were poles apartCredit: Getty – Contributor
Anwar El Ghazi slots home from the penalty spot for Aston Villa with the final kick of the gameCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Wedding guest spotted watching the FOOTBALL during the first dance
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
