One of the most complicated weeks in its recent history.
In one of the most complicated weeks in its recent history, with sanctions and financial irregularities swarming in the air, Manchester City thrashed Aston Villa (3-1) and thus responded to the accusations by the Premier League, which They doubt its legitimacy.
Goals from Rodrigo Hernández, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez gave City their first win since the allegations came to light. A triumph that followed a loud whistle from the Etihad Stadium to the Premier League anthem. In case there were any doubts as to which side the fans of the ‘Sky Blues’ were going to opt for.
The Villa fans responded with a chant that they have well camouflaged since the 1980s. “European Champions, you will never be able to say it”, recalling the European Cup won in 1982.
But any hint of a Villain revolution was quickly cleared by Rodri, who headed a corner taken by Mahrez at the near post in the fourth minute. The first goal was the unleashing of a great first half for Guardiola’s men, who needed this kind of game on a day in which Arsenal punctured and which means their preview before facing the ‘Gunners’ at the Emirates next Wednesday.
With halftime on the horizon, City sealed the game. First with a play that revealed the generosity of Haaland who, without an angle, gave his fourth assist of the season for Gundogan to score on an empty goal. Later it was Grealish who generated the third, forcing a Ramsey penalty that Mahrez converted.
“Game Over,” said Micah Richards, who was a City center-back, and he was right. City had chances to make it 4-0, but it was Villa who cut back through Ollie Watkins. However, despite some arreón led by a brilliant Philippe Coutinho, Villa did not arrive on time for the game.
The three points allow City to stay three behind Arsenal, with the possibility that if they win at the Emirates on Wednesday, they will be placed leaders, despite the fact that they will have one more game. Unai Emery’s Villa remains eleventh, with 28 units, ten above the relegation zone.
EFE