MANCHESTER (Reuters) – Three second-half goals ensured Manchester City climbed back into second behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League after a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
City struggled to get going in the first half, with Villa having several chances to break the deadlock in the pouring Manchester rain.
However, the home side wasted no time after regrouping at the interval, as Raheem Sterling latched onto a Gabriel Jesus flick before firing City in front just 20 seconds into the second half with his 13th goal of the season.
Jesus then almost grabbed a quick-fire second, but Tyrone Mings cleared off the line, before Kevin De Bruyne did find the net in the 65th minute after his cross eluded everyone and arrowed into the bottom corner.
Five minutes later Ilkay Gundogan made sure of another three points for City after he reacted first to a blocked shot to scissor kick his strike into the net.
The result sees City climb back above Leicester City — after their record-equalling 9-0 victory at Southampton on Friday night — with 22 points. Liverpool, who host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, have 25.
The win, however, was tarnished by a late red card for Fernandinho.
“If we play like we did in the first half for the rest of the season we will be in the relegation places,” City manager Pep Guardiola said. “After the first half we corrected something, sometimes it happens but the second half was good.”
Looking to avoid a second successive home league defeat, Guardiola made five changes from the City side that beat Atalanta in the Champions League in midweek, with Jesus handed his first home start of the season up front.
The Brazilian had the game’s first chance in sodden conditions, but fizzed an effort just wide.
Villa grew into the match and almost took the lead in the 23rd minute with City goalkeeper Ederson making an excellent double save.
THE GUARDIOLA EFFECT
City struggled to hit top gear but they should have gone into the interval in front after David Silva could only drag his effort wide from a good position.
Whatever Guardiola said at half time had an immediate effect, though, as Sterling pounced to give City the lead. Jesus beat Mings in the air to set up Sterling, who cut into his right foot before firing home.
“City’s first goal is just a lump from the goalkeeper,” Villa manager Dean Smith said. “Tyrone Mings should do better and he knows that… a top player like Raheem Sterling puts it on the back of the net.”
David Silva celebrated as though he had got a touch to De Bruyne’s cross for City’s second, but the goal was awarded to the Belgian after a long VAR check for a potential offside against David Silva.
Gundogan soon had the result wrapped up for City after Bernardo Silva’s initial effort had been blocked.
Fernandinho’s late red card for two bookings gives Guardiola a headache with the Brazilian’s pending suspension set to leave City short at the back, with City lucky to not concede late on as Villa hit the post after a goalmouth scramble.
