MAN CITY have beaten Aston Villa through goals from Phil Foden and Rodri.
But John Stones is out of the Carabao Cup final after being sent off following a VAR review.
Luckily for City, a second booking for Matty Cash made it 10 vs 10 at Villa Park as Pep Guardiola’s men comfortably held on for a win.
Earlier in the game John McGinn gave Villa the lead after just 20 seconds.
THAT’s ALL FOR TONIGHT
That’s all from me.
Plenty of footy still to come this week with Arsenal welcoming Everton to the Emirates on Friday.
at the weekend, there’s plenty of Premier League action to come including a massive top-four clash between West Ham and Chelsea.
And luckily for you guys, we’ll be covering all the big games here at SunSport!
Goodnight.
DEAN SMITH’s ASSESSMENT
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith gave his thoughts to Sky Sports after the game: “Great start – we played a ball in behind with a quick free-kick which we had spoken about.
“And then had to defend very because they had 25 minutes of wonderful football.
“The disappointing part for me is the manner of the goals, we know Ederson has a good strike on him and they pick up the second ball there.
“And if you lose against Man City you want them to be working wonderfully executed goals, you don’t want to concede those kind of goals.
“Matty Cash’s first yellow was harsh but the second one was just stupid and reckless, with them having ten men you won’t get a better chance to beat City.”
FERNANDINHO SPEAKS
The Man City captain was mainly asked about the Super League: “It’s been crazy since Saturday after the Chelsea defeat in the FA Cup – guys were a bit down and then on Monday the Super League comes out and we were surprised.
“We didn’t expect it but eventually they had good sense and it was the right thing to do.
“Everyone who loves football didn’t support the Super League including our players so we’re happy now that it’s turned around, but it was a surprise.
“It’s a tough situation, we wanted to find out from the people at the top of the club to see the reasons why they are there with the other clubs.
“We wanted to come out and say we are against it but we had to have a chat among the players and we all agreed to wait for the club statement, we are happy in the end because football wins.”
FOD ‘N ROD DO THE JOB
AFTER the week City have had last night was always going to be about Cash.
The Etihad giants were slammed for being part of the “Dirty Dozen” who signed up for the megabucks European Super League.
But back on the pitch they were grateful to Matty Cash whose stupid dismissal cost Aston Villa dear – and maybe Manchester United too.
Read More: Aston Villa 1 Man City 2 Match Report
MIDFIELD GENERAL
Rodri put in a brilliant performance for Man City!
FT: ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
Man City are three wins away from reclaiming the Premier League title, it will be their fifth in ten years and third in four years, if they can see the season out.
Cash being sent off was the only bit of action we were treated to in the second half.
The right-back received two yellow cards within a matter of minutes, chucking away Aston Villa’s advantage.
PEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE GOES AT VILLA PARK!
MAN CITY TAKE HOME ALL THREE POINTS!
ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
90+2. Man City are closing in on an important three points, putting them closer to reclaiming the Premier League title.
A minute left to play.
ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
90. The fourth official holds his board up and there will be three additional minutes added on.
ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
89. SUBSTITUTION!
Fernandinho comes on and replaces Mahrez, and he takes the captains armband off Gundogan for the final few minutes.
ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
87. Foden gets down the left-hand side and floats a cross towards the far post.
Mahrez brings the ball down and tees up Silva.
But the Man City No20 leans back and sends a shot comfortably wide of the target.
ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
85. Watkins concedes a free-kick for a foul on Walker.
ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
83. Some nice pass and move by Man City.
Mahrez flicks the ball inside to Walker and continues his run down the right channel.
The right-back plays the ball back to Mahrez who carries the ball to the byline and delivers a cross towards the far post.
Foden tries to get on the end of it but Konsa JUST beats him to it and it remains 2-1.
ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
80. We’re into the final ten minutes and Man City still lead – they’ll be three points closer to reclaiming the Premier League title if they hold on.
A win also puts them 11 points clear of city and title rivals Man Utd – but United will have a game in hand.
To put into perspective how dominant Man City have been tonight: they’ve made 662 passes to Aston Villa’s 223.
ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
77. Still no real flow in the game.
Man City are continuing to dominate the ball, but it’s all really slow and Villa aren’t putting them under any pressure.
ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
74. SUBSTITUTION!
El Ghazi is on for the final 15 minutes replacing Traore.
Gundogan of Man City goes over to take a cornerCredit: GETTY IMAGES ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
72. Dean Smith could be about to make some more changes – El Ghazi and Elmohamady have been warming up.
ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
70. Mahrez shows some lovely skill to slip the ball down the line for the overlapping Walker.
Foden makes a run towards the six yard box, but the right-back hesitates and fails to find his team-mate.
Walker then overhits his cross and a promising attack goes to waste.
ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
68. A rather slow last few minutes, Man City are holding onto the majority of possession.
But when Aston Villa do get a foot on the ball, they lose it rather quickly – there’s no real flow in the game.
ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
66. Man City continuing to dominate the ball.
Cash’s pointless, reckless challenge on Foden which resulted in a second yellow card, ultimately being sent offCredit: CARL RECINE – POOL/GETTY IMAGES ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
64. Good play from Man City as play is spread wide to Mahrez on the right-hand side.
Walker overlaps, isolating Targett in a two-on-one situation.
The right-back gets the beating of the left-back to the byline and delivers a low cross towards the near post.
But Villa captain Mings cuts it out.
ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
62. SUBSTITUTION!
Konsa concedes a foul for accidentally elbowing Laporte inside Man City’s penalty area.
And whilst there’s a stoppage in play, Aston Villa make a substitution and it’s Nakamba making way for Barkley.
ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
60. Half an hour to go and Man City are leading, and both teams are down to ten men.
ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
57. You have to question what’s going on in Cash’s thought process, he was booked just minutes ago!
And he’s flying in on Foden inside Man City’s half whilst already walking on a tight rope and he’s shown his marching orders.
Stupid is the only way I can describe it.
ASTON VILLA 1-2 MAN CITY
55. RED CARD!
Cash receives a second yellow for another foul on Foden! What a STUPID decision from the right-back who was only booked minutes ago!
Both teams now have ten men…… Aston Villa had the chance to capitalise on Stones’ first half red card but they’ve blown it.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
