Manchester City’s veterans rolled back the years, and their new blood stepped up as Pep Guardiola’s side snatched a dramatic 2-1 win over Aston Villa to keep their Champions League ambitions on course. With just four games left in the Premier League season, the Etihad erupted when Matheus Nunes struck in the 94th minute to seal a vital victory that propelled City into third place.
This wasn’t the slick, controlled City of old for large portions, but it was vintage in spirit dogged, resilient, and eventually decisive. Bernardo Silva opened the scoring early with a well-struck effort that owed much to Omar Marmoush’s energy and Emi Martinez’s mistake. But City, once again, made life harder for themselves.
Moments after Silva’s opener, Ruben Dias was controversially penalized for a foul on Jacob Ramsey following a sloppy pass from Nunes. VAR intervened, the penalty was given, and Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United and the villain in the eyes of the Etihad crowd coolly converted from the spot.
City huffed and puffed but struggled to break down a stubborn Villa side that sat deep and threatened on the counter. Rashford, electrifying in the opening half, continued to stretch the City backline, while James McAtee squandered two golden chances to restore the lead.
Guardiola, often criticized for late substitutions, played his trump card when Jeremy Doku entered. The Belgian winger added instant urgency and width, and it was his dazzling burst past Axel Disasi that turned the game on its head. His low cross found Nunes at the back post, and the makeshift right-back made no mistake, finishing from an improbable angle.
Nunes, who had earlier contributed to the concession of the penalty, redeemed himself in style. His goal not only kept City’s Champions League dream alive but also reaffirmed Guardiola’s trust in his rotating, aging but still influential squad.
This win might not have the headline glamour of a title decider, but its significance is undeniable. With Chelsea, Newcastle, and Forest all breathing down their necks, City now have destiny in their own hands. Villa, meanwhile, remain seventh, reeling from a week that saw them crash out of Europe and now fall behind in the top-five chase.
Guardiola’s animated celebrations told the story this was more than just three points. It was a defiant stand in a chaotic season, a reminder that even when their best seems behind them, this City side still knows how to deliver when it matters most.
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