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Ilkay Gundogan celebrates his goal during Manchester City's victory over Aston Villa

Manchester City 3-0 Aston Villa: City return to second

By Gareth Jones

14:46 · SAT October 26, 2019

Manchester City recovered from a slow start and a late Fernandinho red card to eventually beat Aston Villa 3-0 thanks to three second half goals.

Raheem Sterling, less than a minute into the second period, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan struck to sink Villa in terrible conditions at the Etihad Stadium, to move back to second in the Premier League.

Leicester had knocked City off second thanks fo Friday night's record breaking 9-0 away victory at Southampton, but despite losing two of their last four home league matches Pep Guardiola's side were in no mood to slip up again in the wet weather.

They dominated the opening period, but failed to test Tom Heaton in the Villa net, but the visitors were still in the changing rooms at the start of the second half, as Sterling raced on to a Jesus flick on, beating a sleeping Mings to the ball, to open the scoring.

Villa were asleep again from a City short corner routine which allowed De Bruyne all the time in the world to curl the ball into the box. It missed everyone, despite David Silva claiming he touched it, and the ball curled passed Heaton into the far corner. VAR checked that Sterling had not touched the ball on the way through, as the England man somehow twisted his body to avoid contact when in an offside position.

Gundogan completed the second half rout, half volleying in from 10 yards out on 70 minutes as Villa's defence fell apart again.

Fernandinho's sending off for two bookable offensives in the final 10 minutes will be the only frustration for Guardiola as his side did what was needed to earn another vital three points and in the end a comfortable victory.

Raheem Sterling scored Manchester City's opening goal in their victory over Aston Villa

City could have been ahead early on through Jesus, who starting consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since last December.

There was a mix-up in the Villa area and the Brazil striker was allowed to turn and shoot but his low effort flashed wide.

Sterling, whose runs repeatedly troubled Villa, also had a shot deflected wide and Joao Cancelo fired at Tom Heaton.

But City did not have things all their own way as Villa soaked up pressure and threatened on the break.

John McGinn forced a good save from Ederson and Douglas Luiz, who left City for Villa last summer having not represented the club, was denied by the keeper on the follow-up. The game was paused for a VAR check for a penalty, but Ederson's challenge was ruled clean.

Villa appealed for another spot-kick as Trezeguet and Wesley fired in shots and one of them struck John Stones on the hand as he blocked, but nothing was given.

Sterling headed over late in the first half and then teed up a good opportunity for David Silva but the Spaniard's attempt curled wide.

Villa were undone within a minute of the restart as City went straight onto the attack.

The ball broke for Sterling as Jesus headed on a long clearance from Ederson and the England forward raced through to beat Heaton.

City immediately went in search of more and Benjamin Mendy had a shot deflected wide before Mings denied Jesus with a brilliant goal line clearance after the ball had been gifted to Sterling.

A second goal began to look inevitable, although when it arrived in the 65th minute, who scored it was anything but clear.

De Bruyne curled the ball into the box and Silva looked to have got a faint touch to flick it into the net as Sterling tried to get out of the way. It appeared Sterling may have been offside and potentially interfering but after a long delay, the VAR ruling went in City's favour. Amid the confusion, the goal was also awarded to De Bruyne.

There was no doubt about the third goal five minutes later. Villa failed to clear from another City attack and Gundogan charged into the area to smash home a loose ball on the half-volley.

Phil Foden came off the bench to force a save from Heaton but City's afternoon ended on a sour note as Fernandinho picked up a second booking for a needless tactical foul on Keinan Davis.

The woodwork was hit twice in injury time, first by Jesus and then when a McGinn effort struck the post.

Opta Stats

Manchester City have won their last 10 Premier League home games against Aston Villa by an aggregate score of 33-4. It’s their joint-longest winning run at home versus a single opponent in PL history (also currently 10 vs Newcastle).

Pep Guardiola has lost just one of his 20 Premier League matches against newly-promoted teams as Man City manager (W15 D4 L1).

Aston Villa have lost 14 of their last 15 away games against Manchester City in the Premier League (W1), with nine different managers suffering a loss while in charge in this run.

Aston Villa are winless in their last 14 Premier League games against reigning champions, drawing three and losing the last 11 in the row.

Raheem Sterling has scored in 43 Premier League games for Manchester City without ever ending on the losing side (W41 D2 L0) - he's scored in more games for a single club without ever losing than any other player in the competition’s history.

Man City’s Raheem Sterling has scored 13 goals in 14 appearances in all competitions this season, more than any other Premier League player in 2019-20.

Man City’s Fernandinho made his 200th Premier League appearance - the third Brazilian to reach this milestone after Willian (206) and Lucas Leiva (247).

Man City’s Fernandinho (3) has been sent off at the Etihad stadium more than any other player in the Premier League since it opened in 2003.