Nunes gives City late win over Villa in race for Champions League

Premier League

Manchester City 2-1 Aston Villa

Matheus Nunes struck in stoppage time to give Manchester City a priceless victory over fellow top-five contenders Aston Villa in the battle for a Champions League spot.

What could be a preview of next month’s FA Cup final looked set to end level as City struggled to find a way through the Villa defence after Marcus Rashford cancelled out Bernardo Silva’s early opener from the penalty spot.

But, with their final attack, substitute Jeremy Doku skipped past Axel Disasi down the left, then delivered a brilliant low cross with the outside of his right foot which rolled perfectly through the six-yard box for Nunes, who drilled his first league goal of the season into the bottom corner.

The importance of the goal was shown in the celebrations of manager Pep Guardiola, who hugged Nunes in delight, then made his way round the remainder of his squad before saluting the home fans.

City are now third, four points clear of Villa and Chelsea, who have a game in hand, and remain just outside the top five.

And crucially, while City’s run-in includes matches against relegated Southampton and Wolves, Chelsea have to play both Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.

uardiola’s glee at the final whistle was in stark contrast to the fury he was still feeling at the penalty Villa had been awarded when he emerged for the second half.

A replay of Ruben Dias’ challenge on Jacob Ramsey was being shown at just the wrong time from Guardiola’s perspective as he shook his head angrily, still believing there had been no foul.

Evidently, the City boss was still simmering as the second half ticked on; in his mind, the importance of victory absolutely huge.

There was no other explanation for the manner in which he sunk to his knees in despair as James McAtee delicately lifted the ball over Emiliano Martinez but just wide of the goal as the home side hunted a winner.

It was not supposed to be like that when Bernardo crashed home Omar Marmoush’s cut-back after it had flicked off Ezri Konsa.

But this City team are still not the force they once were. The sight of injured duo Erling Haaland and Rodri sat next to each other as they willed their team-mates on underlining the huge gaps that remain in Guardiola’s preferred line-up.

It is why, for all he has achieved, securing a place in next season’s Champions League will be a significant milestone in Guardiola’s managerial career.