Manchester City vs. Aston Villa: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League

Fernandinho scored a late winner to move Manchester City back into second place in the Premier League, albeit potentially for 24 hours only.

City took a third-minute lead when Sergio Aguero exploited a terrible error by Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan before Aleksandar Kolarov added a second in the 66th minute of an uninspiring game.

However, Manchester United loanee Tom Cleverley pulled a goal back for the Villans two minutes later.

The FA Cup finalists then showed tremendous character to fight back in the 85th minute when Carlos Sanchez fired home an equaliser.

The Villa Park team looked set to grab a vital point in their fight against relegation, but Fernandinho was on hand in the 89th minute to seal all three points for the home side.

The win effectively ensures a top-four finish for City, but Villa are now just two points above the drop zone and have played a game more than several of their rivals at the foot of the table.

Manuel Pellegrini named an unchanged team for the game, with James Milner on the bench after injury.

United States international Guzan returned to the Aston Villa starting XI, while Jores Okore replaced Nathan Baker in defence.

The Villa goalkeeper was the centre of attention after just three minutes as he gifted City the lead.

Guzan attempted to play the ball across his area after a Ron Vlaar back pass, but he did not strike it cleanly to Okore, leaving Aguero to score his easiest goal of the season.

It was a horrendous start for the Villa goalkeeper, and the home fans voiced their support for former City man Shay Given, who had been replaced by Guzan.

Guzan was almost at fault once more in the 16th minute when he completely missed a Kolarov cross, but the goalkeeper escaped with the error as Yaya Toure could not take advantage.

The early pressure from City subsided as Villa put their disastrous opening behind them and steadied the ship. And Joe Hart needed to be alert to deny Christian Benteke from close range.

Outside of that early goal, though, the atmosphere inside the Etihad Stadium was seriously flat with the Premier League title surrendered and little to inspire before the end of the season.

Toure, who appeared to be struggling with a hamstring problem, was withdrawn at half-time for Fernandinho.

David Silva became the first player to receive a yellow card in the 46th minute for a foul on Fabian Delph.

City made another switch in the 57th minute as Milner replaced Frank Lampard in the midfield.

Okore was fortunate to escape without giving away a penalty for his challenge on Silva, but City soon added to their lead.

Carlos Sanchez was cautioned for a foul on Fernandinho 20 yards from goal, and Kolarov took advantage as Kieran Richardson and Leandro Bacuna left a gap in the wall to fire past Guzan.

The FA Cup finalists, though, have more resilience these days under Tim Sherwood, and they hauled themselves back into the game two minutes later when Cleverley fired home from the edge of the area after City failed to clear a free-kick.

That goal gave a fresh impetus to Villa, and both Charles N'Zogbia and Benteke went close in quick succession.

City needed a change, and Pellegrini sent on Wilfried Bony for Aguero for the last eight minutes of the game.

With five minutes remaining, though, Villa levelled the game. Hart flapped at a corner, pushing the ball only as far as Sanchez on the penalty spot, and the Colombian delivered a perfect side-foot volley to make it 2-2.

It could have become even worse for City moments later when N'Zogbia broke clear to set up Benteke, but the Belgium international was adjudged to be offside as he was brought down inside the area by Hart. Television replays suggested the striker was onside.

In the penultimate minute, City went back in front. A corner found its way through a ruck of Villa players to Fernandinho, who controlled with his first touch before slamming it past Guzan.

It was a tremendous end to a game that had struggled to spark into life in the first 85 minutes.

Selected Player Ratings

Sergio Aguero: A

The Manchester City striker was swift to pounce on the early chance afforded to him by Guzan. He looked for further first-half opportunities but seemed to lose impetus in the second period.

Brad Guzan: B-

The Aston Villa goalkeeper will not want to see replays of this game too often. He made a horrendous blunder after just three minutes to gift City the lead after returning to the side in place of Shay Given.

Aleksandar Kolarov: A+

The Manchester City defender produced a fine display down the left in both attacking and defensive duties. The Serbian provided some astute play and smart passing when required.

Post-Match Reaction