Manchester City vs. Aston Villa: Score, Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match
Manchester City maintained their Premier League title challenge on Saturday as they defeated Aston Villa 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
Goals from Yaya Toure, Raheem Sterling and two from Sergio Aguero put the Midlands club to the sword, as the league's worst team now look certain to slip into the Championship for next season.
Villa implemented a strong rear-guard that frustrated the Sky Blues in the first half, but they fell asleep at the start of the second period, allowing City to claim the goals they needed.
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City manager Manuel Pellegrini decided to make three changes to his side that were beaten by Liverpool at Anfield, with Bacary Sagna, Toure and Wilfried Bony coming into the starting lineup to replace Pablo Zabaleta, Fernando and Sterling, respectively.
Villa boss Remi Garde opted to make just one alteration to the side that were defeated away to Everton, with Leandro Bacuna left out for Jordan Veretout to take a place in midfield.
The visitors looked determined and rigid in the opening 45 minutes as Aguero was frustrated by the opposition defence.
The striker was denied by former City player Joleon Lescott and goalkeeper Brad Guzan as the Sky Blues failed to find the net in a lacklustre effort.
However, matters changed in the second half as Villa collapsed in typical fashion, allowing City to canter to the win.
WhoScored.com shared the vital stats during the break as City dominated possession:
City took less than three minutes to claim the lead in the second-half as Toure slotted home after Aguero and Silva linked.
The Argentina hitman burst into the area from the right side and found Silva. The Spanish wizard then located Toure with a first-time pass, and the imposing Ivory Coast international made easy work of the finish.
Squawka.com highlighted Toure's amazing efforts from midfield over the past five years:
The hosts doubled their lead two minutes later as Aguero deflected the ball into the net after a poor clearance from Micah Richards.
The Villa defender attempted to slide the ball away to safety after a through ball from Bony, but he smashed the ball against the advancing striker and watched the ball nestle in the net.
James Robson of the Manchester Evening News gave credit to Bony's contribution:
It was 3-0 on the hour-mark as Villa crumbled against a buoyant City side. Aguero played a one-two with Silva to split Garde's defence, and the Argentina superstar squeezed his shot in at the near post to effectively end the contest.
The hosts attained a fourth goal after 65 minutes as Villa's defence further caved in. Substitute Sterling scored the most simple of tap-ins as the visitors played out a comedy of errors.
Jesus Navas burst down the right-wing and rolled the ball across the penalty box with little conviction. However, not one Villa defender reacted as the ball was met by the England international, who converted after being on the pitch for just four minutes.
WhoScored highlighted Sterling's goals at the Etihad since his summer signing:
Aguero gave away the chance of a hat-trick 18 minutes from time as he struck the post from the penalty spot.
However, despite the miss, Villa looked dead and buried, and pundit Rodney Marsh noted goalkeeper Joe Hart had little to worry about from such a poor team:
City continued to search for a fifth as they exclusively played their football in Villa's half of the pitch, but the contest was over long before the final whistle. Villa offered little resistance once the hosts broke the deadlock, and they allowed City to take the 4-0 win with little fight.
Pellegrini will be delighted by his team's response after their capitulation at Liverpool, and their Premier League aspirations are not dead after Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal drew 2-2 in the north London derby early on Saturday.
Post-Match Reaction
Pellegrini was pleased after his side's demolition of Villa and said his team are ready for a strong finish to the season with Aguero as the spearhead, per CityTV (h/t the club's official Twitter account):
City next feature in the Premier League on Saturday, Mar. 12 when they visit Norwich City. Villa's campaign continues on the following day as they welcome Spurs.
