Manchester City also beat Aston Villa and kept the pressure on leaders Chelsea with the treble. Robin Diaz and Bernardo Silva scored goals for the guests.
He met at Aston Villa: Cities Bernardo Silva (No. 20) and Ruben Diaz (second from left).
imago photos / PA . photos
The second home game under Steven Gerrard was also Jack Grealish’s return to the old workplace. The 26-year-old moved from Villains to Manchester City for €118m in the summer after being part of the club for 20 years since 2001 – with a brief hiatus.
However, a record City buyout, such as a 2-1 win over West Ham, first had to sit on the bench. In addition, Pep Guardiola changed his eleven start to three positions: Gundogan, Joao Cancelo and Laporte gave way to Aki, Zinchenko and Fernandinho.
Coach Gerrard changed his squad after a 2-1 away win over Crystal Palace in only two places: Young and Ramsey passes, but Douglas Luiz and Buendia started.
Robin Diaz breaks the magic
As expected, City started with a lot of possession and control of the match. The Nationals officially guarded the landers penalty area and got the first chances through Joao Cancelo (1) and Rodri (4). The opportunity for a promising Villa came up through Watkins (10th), but she did not take advantage of it. After Zinchenko’s shot did not go into either of them (22), Ruben Diaz broke the guests’ spell: from 20 meters, the central defender simply stuck to it (27) and hit the bottom right into the net.
City have now advanced well and let the hosts, who didn’t give up, run into the void again and again with their long-ball relay. Shortly before the break, Bernardo Silva increased his volley (43.) after Fernandinho started a counterattack on Gabriel Jesus, which was also worth watching.
Watkins connection without effect
After the break, the home side’s goal came as a surprise: Watkins took a direct corner kick and whipped it into the net with the help of the inner post under the right (47th position). However, the blow did not change the game much. Manchester City kept the scepter in hand, and Aston Villa relied on counter-attacks, which were not dangerous.
Thus, the match continued until nearly twenty minutes before the end, Gabriel Jesus left a good chance of spinning (71) and substitute Chukwuemeka failed alone in front of Ederson’s goal (74). Shortly before the end, Grealish came to applause (ranked 87).
Goals and cards
0: 1Robin Dias (27′, left-footed shot)
0: 2Bernardo Silva (43′, left-footed shot)
1: 2Watkins (47′, right-footed shot)
Villa
Manchester
referee team
game info
In the end, the citizens won well deservedly and stayed close to their heels with the triple tokens. On Saturday (6.30pm, LIVE! at Kicker) Skyblues will be guests at Watford, welcoming Villa Leicester City on Sunday (5.30pm).