No scares, Manchester City beat Aston Villa at home and touch Arsenal

This Sunday, the Manchester City received Aston Villa, in a match valid for the 23rd round of the English Championship, and won by 3 to 1. Rodri, Gundogan and Mahrez scored for the home team, while Watkins scored for the visitors.

FULL-TIME | All three points! 🌟

🔵 3-1 ⚫️ #ManCity pic.twitter.com/5tlfNScYxU

— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 12, 2023

With the victory, the City now it is just three points behind leaders Arsenal, with the teams facing each other on Wednesday, in a delayed game of the 12th round. Meanwhile, Villa remains in 11th place, with 28 points and also faces Arsenal in their next match, on Saturday, in a game valid for the 24th round.

The game

After just four minutes, from a corner kick on the left, defensive midfielder Rodri climbed alone between the opposing team’s defense and headed hard to the ground, with no chance for Dibu Martinez.

With the goal scored right at the beginning, Pep Guardiola’s team had peace of mind to control the game. In the 39th minute, De Bruyne launched Haaland, who had Villa’s defense fail, held the ball and found Gundogan alone in the small area. The German just had to push for the nets and expand the marker.

At the end of the first half, Grealish, who was playing against his former team, was knocked down in the area and the referee awarded a penalty. Mahrez went to the penalty spot and converted.

In the second half, City continued to dominate, while Villa struggled to create a chance to score. In the 16th minute, the visitors recovered the ball in midfield and set up striker Ollie Watkins, who advanced and shot at Ederson’s corner.

Leeds x Manchester United

In another game of the round, played earlier, Manchester United went to Leeds and beat the hosts by 2-0, in a difficult and truncated match. The goals were scored at the end by Rashford and Garnacho. With the win, United still keep their Premier League title dream alive.

In turn, Leeds, who sacked coach Jesse Marsch last week, are the first team out of the relegation zone and, just like last season, are in serious danger of falling to the Second Division.