MAN CITY 3, ASTON VILLA 0
Manchester City’s class eventually told as they hit three second-half goals to see off spirited Aston Villa.
The scoreline didn’t reflect the struggle in the goalless opening period when newly-promoted Villa looked capable of emulating Black Country neighbours Wolves who won at the Etihad in City’s past home league match.
From the moment Raheem Sterling broke the deadlock 21 seconds after the restart – it was his 13th goal in 14 games this season – you had a feeling there was no way back for Villa.
Further goals from Kevin De Bruyne – awarded after a VAR review – and Ilkay Gundogan sealed the victory which temporality cut Liverpool’s lead at the top to three points.
The only dampener for City was Fernandinho’s late sending off on his 200th appearance for City.
It was a satisfactory afternoon for City though their display was for the most part workmanlike rather than their scintillating best.
Embed from Getty ImagesManager Pep Guardiola was critical of his side’s opening-half display saying it lacked aggression.
He said: “It was a good 45 minutes, but not the other one, though that is credit to Aston Villa.
“If the first half we played in a way we shouldn’t have done. We have to play for 90 minutes, not just 45.
“If we play like we did in the first half we will be in the relegation places, but in the second we will be up there.”
Guardiola added only Raheem Sterling played with aggression in the opening period, but others imitated him in the improved second-half showing.
Asked about cutting Liverpool’s lead from eight to three points, Guardiola explained he was not concerned about the league table at this stage of the season.
Guardiola would not comment on the VAR decision saying questions should be asked to those who created the system.
City’s manager described Villa captain Jack Grealish as an “exceptional” player but added pointedly but he would be too expensive for Manchester City.
City made five changes from the side which beat Atalanta 5-1 in their midweek Champions League game.
There were recalls for the two Silvas, Gabriel Jesus, John Stones and Joao Cancelo.
Losing out were Sergio Aguero, Riyad Mahrez, Kyle Walker, Phil Foden and the injured Rodri.
There was one minute’s applause before kick off in memory of former City chairman Eric Alexander who has died aged 86.
It brought to an end three generations of the Alexander family’s association with City spanning 125 years.
City came agonisingly close to taking a fifth minute lad when Bernardo Silva set up Jesus who fired narrowly wide.
Villa might have snatched the lead mid-half after a mistake by Stones let in John McGinn who was denied by Ederson.
As Douglas Luiz went in for the rebound off the keeper, there was a VAR check for a penalty with Villa claiming handball.
City almost took the lead shortly before half time when Raheem Sterling cut the ball back to David Silva whose shot was agonisingly wide.
By reaching half-time goalless, Villa maintained a remarkable record of having not conceded a goal in the first half of a league game this season in their fifth match. It is not so good in the second period where they have let in 11 goals in the same number of matches.
City made a brilliant start to the second period taking the lead after only 21 seconds.
It was route one goal from a long Ederson clearance. Jesus, at 5ft 9in, beat 6ft 5in Tyrone Mings and flicked on the ball to Sterling who raced clear to shoot under the body of goalkeeper Tom Heaton.
City came close to doubling their lead in the 55th minute following a stray pass from Bjorn Engels which was intercepted by Sterling who put Jesus through.
Heaton half blocked the Brazilian’s shot and Mings saved the day by spectacularly clearing off the goalline.
City got a second midway through the half when De Bruyne’s cross from the left went straight in, though David Silva claimed he got a touch.
There was a VAR check which was inconclusive as, had Silva got a touch, Sterling would have been offside.
It was quickly followed by a third goal as Gundogan fired home from 15 yards following pinball in the Villa penalty area.
City made all three substitutions in quick succession as Benjamin Mendy, De Bruyne and Sterling made way for Angelino, Foden and Aguero.
Foden had two creditable goal attempts, both forcing decent saves from Heaton.
The only blot was Fernandinho’s 87th minute dismissal for a second booking on a 200th appearance for City, one he will quickly want to forget.
City came within a lick of pain of a fourth goal in stoppage time when a cheeky chip from Jesus hit the crossbar.
Villa were unlucky not to get a consolation effort in the dying seconds when substitute Keinan Davis’ shot was saved and McGinn’s follow-up effort hit the upright.