Manchester City moved up to third in the Premier League and took a huge step to securing Champions League football after beating Aston Villa 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
Unai Emery’s Villa started proceedings in rapid fashion with Marcus Rashford, starting ahead of Marco Asensio and Ollie Watkins, striking the post just 17 seconds into the match. The visitors had another strong chance batted away and City managed to strike first.
Omar Marmoush drove into the box from the left wing and pulled a pass back to Bernardo Silva who rocketed in the opener to get the Etihad celebrating. Their joy didn’t last long as Jacob Ramsey was brought down in the City box resulting in a penalty that Rashford converted to bring the game level at half-time.
City turned up the tempo in the second hlaf but they needed stoppage time to force a winner as Matheus Nunes arrived at the back post to turn Jeremy Doku’s cross into the back of the net and secure all three points.
Follow all the latest build-up, team news and updates from the Etihad below:
Man City vs Aston Villa LIVE
- Manchester City defeat Aston Villa in the Premier League | Live on Sky Sports
- 90+4 GOAL! Nunes wins it late in the game (MCI 2-1 AVL)
- 80’ DISALLOWED! Marmoush scores but he is offside (MCI 1-1 AVL)
- 66’ CHANCE! Rashford gets round Ortega but hits the side netting (MCI 1-1 AVL)
- 18' GOAL! Rashford converts from the spot (MCI 1-1 AVL)
- 15' PENALTY! Dias brings down Ramsey in the box (MCI 1-0 AVL)
- 7’ GOAL! Bernardo Silva rattles a shot past Martinez (MCI 1-0 AVL)
- 1' POST! Rashford hits the upright just 17 seconds into the game (MCI 0-0 AVL)
Manchester City FC 2 - 1 Aston Villa FC
Matheus Nunes unlocks key to dismantling Aston Villa and charts a way back for misfiring signings
22:25 , Richard Jolly at Etihad StadiumThe time when Pep Guardiola called Matheus Nunes one of the best players in the world feels distant. The statement was discredited long before Guardiola said his £50m signing was not clever enough to play in the middle.
But as a makeshift right-back, Nunes may have sent Manchester City surging back into the Champions League. He has often looked a bad buy and yet, in an instant, a man deemed a waste of money could have scored a priceless goal.
Matheus Nunes unlocks the key to dismantling Aston Villa in crunch clash
Manchester City vs Aston Villa: Player ratings as Matheu Nunes scores last-gasp winner
22:24 , Mike JonesIt was a right-back who gave Manchester City the edge they needed in a tense, hard-fought 2-1 win over fellow Champions League chasers Aston Villa.
The pace at the Etihad was frantic from the start as Marcus Rashford nearly scored inside the opening 17 seconds, but it was City who took the early lead as Bernardo Silva poked home Omar Marmoush’s pullback at the byline.
Man City vs Aston Villa: Player ratings as Matheu Nunes scores last-gasp winner
Manchester City's Ruben Dias, speaking to Sky Sports:
22:20 , Mike Jones"They [Aston Villa] are on the run with us to this top five and it was a special game to get the three points.
"Four games to go and all of them will be massively important. Important today to get the three points.
"We know how tight it is and how tight it's going to be till the end. It is a massive step for us.
"This means everything to us. We know exactly the circumstances we are in. Top four and top five means everything to us. This is our Premier League to us."
'It's a big moment for City'
22:13 , Mike JonesGay Neville reacting on Sky Sports: “In years gone by, you expect City and Kevin de Bruyne in particular to unlock that door.
“It is such a big moment for Manchester City.”
FT Man City 2-1 Aston Villa
22:09 , Mike JonesEcstasy for Manchester City at the end of the game.
Matheus Nunes scored his first Premier League goal for City and it was an important one.
Look what it means to Pep Guardiola.
FT Man City 2-1 Aston Villa
22:05 , Mike JonesManchester City move up to third in the Premier League table with that win.
They are now one point ahead of Nottingham Forest in fourth, two clear of Newcastle in fifth and four ahead of Chelsea and Villa.
Full-time! Man City 2-1 Aston Villa
21:59 , Mike JonesManchester City get the job done.
Pep Guardiola went crazy in celebration on the sidelines as his team clinched the three points.
It could be a huge moment in the race for the top four/five.
Villa’s hopes have been dented, City are almost secure.
GOAL! Man City 2-1 Aston Villa (Matheus Nunes, 90+4')
21:56 , Mike JonesWinner!
That is huge. It’s so late in the game and Manchester City get themselves over the line. Jeremy Doku receives the ball and drives past Axel Disasi.
He pokes the ball across the sxi-yard box towards the far post where Matheus Nunes arrives and drills it home.
City are going to claim the three points.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:53 , Mike Jones90+3 mins: City win a late corner as John McGinn blocks a cross into the box.
De Bruyne goes over to take it. He swings the ball into the penalty area with Ruben Dias the target.
He finds his teammate but Dias’ header loops softly into the hands of Martinez.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:51 , Mike Jones90 mins: Five minutes of added time to play.
Will we see a winning goal?
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:48 , Mike Jones86 mins: Villa win their first corner of the second half and Marco Asensio whips it into the box.
Josko Gvardiol leaps highest and nods it away but the ball drops to Villa substitute Donyell Malen.
He shoots from range but Ortega has it covered.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:45 , Mike Jones83 mins: Better from Villa.
They’ve been very strong at repelling City in this half and are now having more opportunities to get forward.
Whether that’ll be enough to get them a winner is unknown.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:42 , Mike Jones80 mins: Disallowed goal!
De Bruyne releases Doku on the counter attack as City fly up the pitch. Doku runs into trouble and has to sends the ball back to De Bruyne.
He gives it to Gundogan who feeds Marmoush with a short pass into the box.
Marmoush collects the ball as the hands of the Villa defenders go up in unison. He slots it past Martinez and the offside flag is raised.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:38 , Mike Jones78 mins: Ollie Watkins and Marco Asensio are introduced in the hopes of getting Villa the winning goal.
The visitors are seeing a bit more of the ball as the second half heads towards its conclusion.
'City are pushing for a winner'
21:36 , Richard Jolly at Etihad Stadium“City are pushing for a winner now.
“Guardiola had suggested Jeremy Doku would be involved more in the run-in, then left him out today, which was almost rewarded when James McAtee came close to a special goal.
“But now the Belgian is on, perhaps charged with tormenting Axel Disasi.”
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:35 , Mike Jones75 mins: Doku replaces James McAtee for Manchester City.
He’s got 15 minutes to make an impact for the hosts as Unai Emery calls on Marco Asensio to get stripped and ready.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:33 , Mike Jones72 mins: Jeremy Doku is coming on. He’s quick and sharp and receives some last minute instructions from Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola has cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines. It’s easy to see how much he wants to win this match and he won’t be content until his team are ahead.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:29 , Mike Jones69 mins: Oh wow!
O’Reilly rolls a fine pass into the box from the left as McAtee bursts forward.
He’s beaten his marker and just needs to turn the ball home but misses it!
Instead it hits his standing leg and Villa clear the danger.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:24 , Mike Jones66 mins: Chance!
That’s great play from Villa. Morgan Rogers plays the ball forward as Rashford makes a diagonal run past the defence.
He collects the ball and takes it into the box. Ortega comes off his line and forces Rashford wide but he gets around the goalkeeper and guides his shot into the side netting from a very tight angle!
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:23 , Mike Jones63 mins: Changes from Unai Emery now.
Axel Diasi and John McGinn are introduced to replace Matty Cash and Jacob Ramsey.
Emery is obviously hoping his captain can bring more control and possession in midfield.
City are on top presently.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:21 , Mike Jones60 mins: Youri Tielemans attempts to slip a free kick into the box but it gets intercepted.
City’s attempt at counterin-attacking sends the ball to De Bruyne.
He fires it up to McAtee who glances up at Martinez and chips the goalkeeper only to curl the effort wide of the far post!
'Is a draw a better result for City?'
21:19 , Richard Jolly at Etihad Stadium“Is a draw a better result for City?
“They are one point ahead of Villa and, as both teams have similar run-ins, the remaining fixtures don't offer either much of an advantage on the other.
“Yet the fact this is at the Etihad could make a draw a disappointment for the hosts.
“Certainly Pep Guardiola looks frustrated by proceedings so far.”
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:17 , Mike Jones57 mins: De Bruyne crosses the ball from the right side and lifts it over to the back post.
Matty Cash is there to nod the ball away but sends it to Nico O’Reilly whose attempt at a volley is sent well wide of the target.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:15 , Mike Jones54 mins: Man City have certainly stepped up the tempo of their own play since the restart.
They haven’t created many clear cut chances but Villa’s defence has been solid so far.
In response there hasn’t been much from the visitors in an attacking sense. Villa are feeling their way back into the match.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:11 , Mike Jones51 mins: Morgan Rogers does some good work tracking back to tackle a striding Nico O’Reilly but he takes out the man and not the ball.
It earns him a yellow card and hands City a free kick. James McAtee curls the ball into the box but Onana is there to poke the ball out of play.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:09 , Mike Jones48 mins: Marmoush is the danger for Man City. He’s great with the ball at his feet and is unafraid to take players on when close to the box.
Boubacar Kamara sticks out a leg to tackle him and withdraws it in time to avoid a foul. The striker’s touch then runs away from him and the ball drifts out for a goal kick.
Second half! Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:06 , Mike JonesManchester City get the second half underway. They work the ball over to the right wing but are repelled by Villa’s defence.
HT Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
21:01 , Mike JonesThis has been a pretty close affair so far.
Manchester City have created five chances with three of them on target while Aston Villa have created the same number but only two of theirs have troubled the goalkeeper.
City, as expected, are dominating possession, but Villa have the better xG at 1.35 compared to City’s 0.52.
HT Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
20:57 , Mike Jones
'Pretty even so far'
20:53 , Richard Jolly at Etihad Stadium“Pretty even so far. City have had more possession, which they want.
“Villa have been able to counter-attack, which they like doing.
“Marcus Rashford has shown more threat than a Manchester United centre-forward has for many a month.
“After Emery dropped Ollie Watkins, Saturday's star turn, he has had some vindication from Rashford's first-half display.”
Half-time! Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
20:49 , Mike Jones45+4 mins: Nothing to separate the two teams at the half time break.
Man City went ahead through Bernardo Silva but Marcus Rashford equalised from the penalty spot.
As things stands, City will move up to fourth and Villa push up to sixth having played a game more than those around them.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
20:45 , Mike Jones45 mins: Nearly! A Villa corner is swept onto the head of Amadou Onana.
He powers towards the vicinity of the goal but Nico O’Reilly blocks the shot and City clear.
Four minutes of added time to play.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
20:42 , Mike Jones42 mins: A free kick for Aston Villa could be dangerous for Man City.
Rashford hooks the ball into the box from wide on the right wing but doesn’t clear the first City defender.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
20:39 , Mike Jones39 mins: Close!
Marcus Rashford darts in behind and is given the ball. It comes over the top and his first touch isn’t great.
It takes him too far into the penalty area and Stefan Ortega closes him down as he turns the ball towards goal.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
20:36 , Mike Jones36 mins: Lucas Digne is put in the book for a late tackle on De Bruyne.
The Man City midfielder made more of the challenge than was necessary but he’s convinced the referee to pull out a yellow card.
City are probably getting themselves on top in this match.
Nico O’Reilly gets a cross into the box and finds Marmoush who heads his effort over the top.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
20:35 , Mike Jones33 mins: Kevin De Bruyne pings a cross field pass over the Aston Villa defence and looks to play Marmoush in behind Matty Cash.
The striker is quicker than his counterpart but can’t get to the ball this time before it skips out of play.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
20:30 , Mike Jones30 mins: The Manchester City fans are jeering away whenever Emi Martinez has the ball.
He’s taking his time to restart play at any opportunity and is seemingly inviting City’s players to move further up the pitch to challenge for the ball.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
20:27 , Mike Jones27 mins: Mateo Kovacic is given the ball from Bernardo Silva and has a lot of bodies ahead of him.
He decides to shoot from range and gets his effort through but Martinez drops to the right and smothers the ball.
The Villa goalkeeper has made a few good stops after his error for City’s goal.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
20:25 , Mike Jones24 mins: A bit of controlled possession from Man City.
Knocking the ball around in midfield and looking for the cutting pass over the top.
Mixed results for the hosts so far.
Man City 1-1 Aston Villa
20:23 , Mike Jones21 mins: It’s game on now. Jacob Ramsey was smart in winning the spot kick and it has truly annoyed the Manchester City squad, fans and support staff.
The hosts try to play in Marmoush with chip over the top but Martinez manages to close him down.
GOAL! Man City 1-1 Aston Villa (Marcus Rashford, 18')
20:19 , Mike JonesPep Guardiola, Ruben Dias and a handful of Manchester City players are incandescent over the decision to award a penalty and the City boss earns himself a yellow card.
Marcus Rashford steps up to the spot and rolls the ball into the bottom right corner with Stefan Ortega diving in the opposite direction.
All square.
Man City 1-0 Aston Villa
20:17 , Mike Jones15 mins: A potential penalty for Aston Villa.
Jacob Ramsey goes on a run into the box and is clipped by Ruben Dias who, to be fair to him, is trying to avoid the contact.
Regardless the VAR calls the referee over to the monitor, he reviews the incident then points to the spot!
Penalty to Aston Villa!
Man City 1-0 Aston Villa
20:14 , Mike Jones13 mins: Matheus Nunes looks to sneak in behind out wide on the right wing.
A long ball comes over to him but he can’t keep it in play despite an outstretched attempt to control the ball.
The goal seems to have settled the hosts down. They’re pressing high up the pitch and making it tough for Villa to play out from the back.
'One of Bernardo Silva's finest goals'
20:13 , Richard Jolly at the Etihad Stadium“One of Bernardo Silva's finest City goals came against Villa. Perhaps one of the most important has done now.
“Emi Martinez arguably should have saved his shot, instead of pushing it over the line.
“All that after Villa, who scored after 33 seconds against Newcastle, hit the post after 18.
“They like a fast start and yet find themselves 1-0 down.”
Man City 1-0 Aston Villa
20:10 , Mike Jones10 mins: City are up to third in the Premier League as things stand and it seems as though they’ll secure their spot in Europe’s top flight soon enough.
Villa have a poor record here and going behind so early isn’t a good sign for them.
GOAL! Man City 1-0 Aston Villa (Bernardo Silva, 7')
20:08 , Mike JonesCity try to assert some control on the game. Omar Marmoush brings down a cross field pass and drives into the box.
He pokes the ball into the middle where a deflection touches the ball into the path of Bernardo Silva.
The City midfielder rattles a shot at goal, Emi Martinez dives low and gets a strong hand to the ball but it beats the Argentine and rolls into the back of the net.
Man City 0-0 Aston Villa
20:05 , Mike Jones3 mins: Villa have been playing well of late and come into the match on the back of a big win over Newcastle to help their prospects of a top four finish.
Jacob Ramsey goes on a run down the right side and feeds the ball to Matty Cash.
He sends a low cross into the box and City have to clear their lines again.
Kick off! Man City 0-0 Aston Villa
20:02 , Mike JonesCrazy start! Aston Villa get the match underway and send the ball long.
A Man City clearance is knocked into the midfield where Villa win the ball and touch it up to Youri Tielemans.
He feeds it to Marcus Rashford who weaves around Ruben Dias then laces a shot past Stefan Ortega and strikes the far post!
Man City vs Aston Villa
19:58 , Mike JonesHere come the teams.
The players make their way out onto the pitch at the Etihad Stadium. The result here could have big implications on the race to secure Champions League spots.
Villa are also in the FA Cup at the weekend but they need to make sure they push on in the Premier League to get themselves into the top four. A win tonight propels them up to fourth.
City are currently fifth and will drop out of the Champions League spots if they lose.
Kick off is up next...
Watkins on the bench
19:50 , Mike JonesOllie Watkins scored his 74th Premier League goal for Aston Villa on Saturday, equalling the club record set by Gabby Agbonlahor.
Watkins is the first Villa player to score 15 goals or more in three consecutive Premier League seasons.
He starts on the bench tonight.
Man City vs Aston Villa
19:45 , Mike JonesManchester City have won their last 14 Premier League home games against Aston Villa, scoring at least twice in each of the most recent 13. Their last home defeat in this fixture came on 28 April 2007.
City have trailed in just two of those 14 matches, going 1-0 down in May 2010 and 2-0 down in May 2022 before winning 3-1 and 3-2 respectively.
However, Aston Villa won this season's reverse fixture in December and are looking to complete their first league double over City since 1962-63.
One more match to come between this pair?
19:40 , Chris WilsonThis may not be the final match between these two sides this season, remember.
This weekend, both will travel to the capital to contest their respective FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley.
Villa face Crystal Palace on Saturday 26 April, while City take on Nottingham Forest the next day.
Could these two sides be set for a Wembley showpiece in May too then?
Pep Guardiola laments letting ‘exceptional’ Morgan Rogers leave Manchester City
19:35 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola has admitted Manchester City had an “exceptional player” in their ranks with Morgan Rogers as they prepare to face him in a six-pointer to qualify for the Champions League.
Rogers struck for Aston Villa when they beat his former club in December but was never given a first-team appearance by Guardiola as he was loaned out to Lincoln, Bournemouth and Blackpool before being sold to Middlesbrough.
But the winger has kicked on at Villa, becoming a full England international and scoring in the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Pep Guardiola laments letting ‘exceptional’ Morgan Rogers leave Manchester City
Head-to-head
19:30 , Chris WilsonThese two sides have met a total of 165 times in the past, with City winning 75, Villa winning 51 and 40 ending as draws.
Earlier this season, Villa ran out 2-1 winners in the reverse fixture at Villa Park.
Match facts
19:25 , Chris WilsonCity are on a run of nine successive home league victories in the month of April, scoring 35 goals and conceding eight.
Villa have won five consecutive Premier League fixtures for the first time since April 2023. They have never won six in a row in the competition.
Pep Guardiola fears targets will go elsewhere if Man City miss Champions League
19:20 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola fears Manchester City could miss out on summer transfer targets if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
After winning the last four Premier League titles during an unprecedented spell of domestic dominance, the goal this term is to earn a place back at European football’s top table.
City sit fifth having recovered from an awful end to 2024, but they have work to do in the fight for a Champions League spot that may have a bearing on who they can attract this summer.
Pep Guardiola fears targets will go elsewhere if Man City miss Champions League
'Beating City would be a statement win for Villa'
19:16 , Richard Jolly at Etihad Stadium“The best team in the country over the previous four years against the best in the last few weeks? Possibly.
“Aston Villa have 10 wins in 11 and have been superb for much of that time. But even in the context of victories over Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle, beating City would be a statement win for Villa.
“Unai Emery tends to rotate and has benched Ollie Watkins, after his superb display on Saturday, and the captain John McGinn.
“Guardiola has surprised by recalling James McAtee for what must be the biggest game of his career.”
Match facts
19:12 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola's side are unbeaten in five Premier League fixtures, winning three and drawing two.
Unai Emery's side have won 10 of their past 11 matches in all competitions, with the exception being a defeat away to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Man City, Chelsea and Aston Villa: Who has the best run-in?
19:05 , Chris WilsonWith just five matches remaining of the Premier League season, only three points separate third and seventh in the race for Champions Leaguequalification.
Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Aston Villa will battle to secure the final two spots in Europe’s premier cup competition, with Arsenal and Liverpool having all but secured their places.
But with several of the sides in third to seventh still set to play each other as well as the champions-elect and relegated sides, which teams are best placed to finish in the top five come the end of May?
Team news - Aston Villa
19:01 , Flo CliffordFive changes for Villa, with Pau Torres returning to partner Ezri Konsa in defence, while Lucas Digne replaces Ian Maatsen. Amadou Onana also starts while Tyrone Mings misses out altogether.
Jacob Ramsey and Marcus Rashford are preferred in attack, with Marco Asensio among the substitutes along with John McGinn.
The big surprise is that Ollie Watkins is still on the bench, despite scoring and registering an assist in the 4-1 win over Newcastle, and loudly voicing his frustration at his lack of starts recently.
Likely, Emery has one eye on their upcoming FA Cup semi-final.
Team news - Man City
18:52 , Flo CliffordPep Guardiola has made two changes from City’s win over Everton, with Kovacic and McAtee coming in for Nico Lewis and Savinho.
Ortega remains between the sticks with Ederson out injured. O’Reilly’s fine performance at Goodison Park is rewarded with a starting berth.
Line-ups - Aston Villa
18:50 , Flo CliffordAston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Pau, Digne, Onana, Kamara, Tielemans, Ramsey, Rogers, Rashford.
Substitutes: Olsen, Maatsen, Garcia, Disasi, McGinn, Barkley, Malen, Asensio, Watkins.
Line-ups - Man City
18:47 , Flo CliffordMan City XI: Ortega, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Kovacic, Gundogan, De Bruyne, McAtee, Bernardo, Marmoush
Substitutes: Carson, Grealish, Doku, Nico, Akanji, Savinho, Khusanov, Foden, Lewis
Team news
18:40 , Chris WilsonHere’s a reminder of the team news – line-ups should be announced in the next five minutes.
Ederson may miss out again due to a going injury and Erling Haaland remains out. Manuel Akanji returned off the bench against Everton. Nico O’Reilly should continue after his crucial goal at Goodison.
Ollie Watkins struck against Newcastle on his return to the starting line-up and it would be a surprise to see the striker drop out, but Villa have a huge game on Saturday against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Match facts
18:30 , Chris WilsonManchester City have won their past 14 Premier League home games against Aston Villa, scoring at least twice in each of the most recent 13. Their last home defeat in this fixture came on 28 April 2007.
However, Aston Villa won this season's reverse fixture in December and are looking to complete their first league double over City since 1962/63.
Kevin De Bruyne ‘a bit surprised’ not to be offered new Man City deal
18:20 , Chris WilsonDeparting captain Kevin de Bruyne was shocked to be told his Manchester City career was over as he feels he can still perform at the highest level.
The Belgium playmaker turns 34 in June but, unlike his mid-30-something rivals at Liverpool Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, he has not been offered the chance to extend his 10-year career at the Etihad.
De Bruyne clearly believes City have erred on that front and feels had the club’s season not been so bad – they are in a battle just to secure Champions League football despite the 2-0 win at Everton – he may have been asked to stay.
Kevin De Bruyne ‘a bit surprised’ not to be offered new Man City deal
Man City find huge Champions League boost from unlikely source
18:10 , Chris WilsonManchester City’s bid for a 15th successive season of Champions Leaguefootball was bolstered by two late goals in a 2-0 win at Everton they barely deserved.
The game was meandering towards a draw, which would have made them vulnerable to Chelsea who play rivals Nottingham Forest on Monday, when 20-year-old Nico O’Reilly stabbed home in the 84th minute.
Substitute Mateo Kovacic doubled the lead in added time to open up a four-point cushion over their sixth-placed Stamford Bridge chasers.
Man City find huge Champions League boost from unlikely source
Aston Villa show off their key advantage to ignite Champions League charge
18:00 , Chris WilsonThe report from last time out at Villa Park...
Aston Villa could bounce from the Champions League straight back into the Champions League. Four days after being knocked out, they scored four goals to take a giant stride towards a swift return.
Newcastle United were last season’s upstart conquerors of Paris Saint-Germain and arguably the form team in England. They left Villa Park vanquished, their own chances of a top-five finish diminished as they were dismantled. Overpowered by Villa on the day, the danger is that they will be overtaken in the run-in.
“We are in our best moment,” said Unai Emery. For Villa, fresh from beating the potential Champions League winners, one seminal week may be leading to another. With Manchester City next, with an FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, a team with 10 wins in 11 games have momentum and strength in depth. Newcastle’s first defeat since the time when they had not won a trophy in decades came courtesy of Villa’s squad and Emery’s brilliance in using it.
Aston Villa show off their key advantage to ignite Champions League charge
Is the match on TV?
17:50 , Chris WilsonWhen is Manchester City vs Aston Villa?
The Premier League fixture will kick off at 8pm BST on Tuesday 22 April at the Etihad.
TV channel and live stream
It will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Football, with a live stream available for customers on Sky Go or Now TV.
Predicted line-ups
17:41 , Chris WilsonMan City XI: Ortega; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Bernardo; Savinho, De Bruyne, Doku; Marmoush.
Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Rogers, Asensio, Rashford; Watkins
Team news
17:36 , Chris WilsonEderson may miss out again due to a going injury and Erling Haaland remains out. Manuel Akanji returned off the bench against Everton. Nico O’Reilly should continue after his crucial goal at Goodison.
Ollie Watkins struck against Newcastle on his return to the starting line-up and it would be a surprise to see the striker drop out, but Villa have a huge game on Saturday against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Man City vs Aston Villa LIVE
17:33 , Chris WilsonManchester City host Aston Villa in the Premier League in a match Pep Guardiola called a “final” for his team.
The race for Champions League qualification could not be closer, with fifth-placed City a point ahead of seventh-placed Aston Villa in the table. Just three points separate Nottingham Forest in third with Villa in seventh, with five games to go.
City earned a crucial late win at Everton on Saturday, before Villa thrashed in-form Newcastle 4-1 later in the day for their fifth Premier League win in a row.
It means Unai Emery’s side have beaten Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle before arriving at the Etihad, while they also defeated City earlier this season.
"Villa are a contender to qualify for the Champions League and when you see the game they played against my friend Luis Enrique and PSG I was really impressed,” Guardiola said.
Man City vs Aston Villa LIVE
17:28 , Chris WilsonGood evening and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s match between Manchester City and Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Both sides are hunting a place in next season’s Champions League and there’s just a point separating them as they enter a potentially crucial match at the Etihad.
And we’ll have all the latest build-up and team news right here.
