Premier League: Manchester City Close Gap With Liverpool After Winning Match Against Aston Villa

Manchester City's 3-0 home victory over Aston Villa has restored the hope for a title bid as they have moved up back to the second position to trail table leaders, Liverpool, by just a point.

The title defenders had strong control of the game but through a goalless first half and were close to committing a penalty offense but the VAR ruled out after Ederson saved John McGinn's shot from outside of the box to Jack Grealish's reach.

On their return from break, Raheem Sterling launched the scoring with a superb low-cut left-footed shot from inside the box, bringing his goals tally to a total of seven in all league games appearances.

City's second goal was somewhat of an intriguing one resulting from Kevin De Bruyne's curled shot from left flang and that went through a well-packed box with players and then into the goal. It was challenged but VAR upheld it.

Ilkay Gundogan scores the third goal for Manchester City against Aston Villa for his first goal of the season 

Ilkay Gundogan smacked a rebound into the net when Fernandinho's shot was cleared to his reach and the scores extended to 3-0 lead with 20 minutes left to play. Fernandinho was later red-carded but at this time, there was nothing Villa could make of playing against 10-man with five minutes remaining.

In spite of Fernanadinho being sent off for second yellow card offense, it was the Brazilian's 200th goal league match appearance making him the first player from the country to reach the milestone.

"Aston Villa played very well in the first half," City manager Pep Guardiola admitted. "But the second half, I don't know if we played good because we scored early or it was because we played differently, but we won."

Aston Villa are yet to snap Manchester City's unbeaten home run against them in 10 consecutive Premier League games. Nonetheless, they are in13th position with three points away from sliding away into the relegation zone.