.Matheus Nunes scored a dramatic stoppage time winner to boost Manchester City’s ambitions of Champions League qualification in a 2-1 win over Aston Villa. The City star converted the cross of substitute Jeremy Doku to leave Unai Emery with his head in his hands.
Omar Marmoush‘s fine run into the Aston Villa box saw him find Bernardo Silva via a deflected cross after just seven minutes. The Portugal international directed the ball goalwards to hand City the lead as goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez appeared to flap at the ball..
VAR intervened to ensure Villa could soon level the scores. Referee Craig Pawson did not see enough in the challenge initially as Ruben Dias bundled over Jacob Ramsey in the area, but the official soon changed his decision when offered another look.
Marcus Rashford made no mistake from the spot to help justify his selection over Ollie Watkins, while Pep Guardiola was left furious with the decision. The effort was the loanee’s fifth goal against City in the Premier League, a figure only fewer than Mo Salah and Jamie Vardy.
Guardiola’s men continued to dominate possession throughout the game as Nico O’Reilly and James McAtee both showed flashes of their quality. Villa remained resolute while keeping the home side accountable until Doku found a way through to provide his crucial cross and prove Guardiola had treated him unfairly.
Mirror Football takes a look at the talking points to arise from the match.
Unai Emery continued to choose between Marcus Rashford and Ollie Watkins on Tuesday night, despite the latter previously revealing he was fuming to sit on the bench for important Villa games. Watkins returned with a bang to score against Newcastle at the weekend but once again found himself on the bench as the Midlands side fought Champions League rivals.
Watkins has 15 goals in the Premier League this term, but Rashford has a track record against City. It was a choice Roy Keane understood. “Rashford has a good record here,” he said.
“It’s not his [Emery] job to keep players happy. It is a good option to have. The manager is focused and he needs that balance. If Rashford does the business, he says well done. If not, he tells Watkins to warm up and he gets on. There is a huge pressure and he has made a big call. That is what he is paid to do.”
Rashford went on to score from the spot, and posed City’s high line numerous problems. The decision panned out in many respects.
While Emery may opt for Watkins in the weekend’s FA Cup semi-final, the forward’s discontent could yet prove problematic if the club choose to sign Rashford permanently.
If the Etihad crowd and Pep Guardiola are to be believed, VAR’s intervention and Craig Pawson choice to reverse his initial decision, was the worst in Premier League history. The Catalan coach was awarded a yellow card following his furious complains after Ruben Dias was punished for running into Jacob Ramsey in the area.
Premier League match centre stated: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no penalty to Aston Villa for a challenge by Dias on Ramsey – and deemed there was a clear trip and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned the original decision and awarded a penalty to Aston Villa.”
And it’s hard to argue too much with that assessment. Regardless of intention it was clumsy and while there are still plenty of protests, it appeared a fairly straightforward reversal.
The expense of going to watch football continues to be a talking point this season. Days after Manchester United protested inside Old Trafford and raised signs criticising increased ticket prices towards the directors’ box, Manchester City had a protest of their own over ticket prices.
A number of empty seats could be seen around the Etihad on Tuesday evening, with prices claimed to be starting at £42 for a child and £71 for an adult.
Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans continues to establish himself as one of the division’s top operators. The Belgian’s ability on the half-turn was once again on show against the Premier League champions after playing a big part in dominating Newcastle’s midfield trio of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
The ex-Leicester City player is ably supported by the likes of Amadu Onana. But Tielemans’ abilities in possession, particularly given Villa were short of it, shone. If Villa once again qualify for the Champions League, Tielemans will certainly have been instrumental and established himself among the league’s best.
The table rarely lies at this stage of the season, the fine margins in the battle for Champions League qualification played out at the Etihad. While there were certainly different styles on display, and perhaps a tad too much timewasting from Martinez from a very early stage of the game, for large stretches there was little to separate the sides.
Four points sit between seventh and third in the top-flight with five games remaining. Two teams are set to miss out on a place in Europe’s top competition and after tonight we aren’t really clearer who.
City will feel much more comfortable for a victory that takes them third.
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