Last Update: February 13, 2023, 00:28 IST
Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, February 12, 2023 While celebrating (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez all found the net in the first period of play for the holders, before Ollie Watkins scored a consolation goal for Villa.
Manchester City produced a defiant response to the Premier League’s charge sheet as they closed to within three points of leaders Arsenal after beating Aston Villa 3-1 on Sunday.
Goals from Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez put the result beyond doubt at half-time as City got back on track after last weekend’s defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.
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Home fans were in a belligerent mood with a series of ironic chants at the Etihad Stadium, with the club facing more than 100 charges related to alleged financial misconduct.
On the pitch, City’s players showed they were not fazed by the turn of events as they effectively wrapped up the points just before the halftime whistle.
Pep Guardiola’s side needed only four minutes to take the lead when Rodry Riyad headed in Mahrez’s corner and they were cruising when Erling Haaland set up Gundogan in the 39th minute.
Villa were left with a mission impossible when Mahrez scored a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Jacob Ramsey had fouled former Villa player Jack Grealish.
Ollie Watkins scored for the third successive league match to reduce the deficit on the hour mark and Villa hit the woodwork through late substitute John Duran, but City were never in any real danger of dropping points. Not seen.
Champions City have 48 points from 22 matches and Arsenal have 51 points from 21 and can go top if they win at Arsenal on Wednesday.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)