Published By: Ritayan Basu
Last Updated: December 07, 2023, 07:17 IST
Premier League: Aston Villa beat Manchester City (AP)
Leon Bailey’s deflected shot gave Aston Villa a 1-0 win over Manchester City within the Premier League.
Aston Villa overran Manchester City with a totally-deserved 1-0 win on Wednesday thanks to a deflected shot from Leon Bailey, leaving the reigning Premier League champions in an unfamiliar fourth place and 6 factors off the highest.
Unai Emery’s hungry and assured Villa, having fun with their finest season for years, dominated the sport from begin to end, leap-frogging City to third within the desk.
After squandering a hatful of probabilities, Villa’s winner got here within the 74th minute when the pacey Bailey took the ball simply previous the midway line, ran at City’s defence and unleashed a shot that hit Ruben Dias’ foot to beat goalkeeper Ederson.
Minutes later, Douglas Luiz struck the put up for the hosts, who may have gained by a bigger margin in a surprisingly one-sided sport, to the noisy delight of the bulk at Villa Park.
“It was a great game, great night for the fans, great night for Aston Villa,” mentioned Bailey. “To get the win and to be the one that scored the goal is a magnificent feeling.”
The outcome left Pep Guardiola’s group on 30 factors after 15 video games – six factors behind leaders Arsenal – and with out a win of their final 4 Premier League matches.
Aston Villa moved up to third on 32 factors, two behind Liverpool and 4 behind Arsenal, after what was their 14th consecutive residence Premier League victory.
Such was their dominance that Villa’s 22 photographs have been the joint-most confronted by a Guardiola group in 535 video games managing in Europe’s huge 5 leagues. City’s mere two photographs have been the fewest ever registered by a Guardiola group in these leagues.
SLOPPY CITY
With the guests’ often comfy defence trying rattled and sloppy, Villa poured ahead from the off, Bailey after which Pau Torres forcing Ederson into two early terrific saves.
Ollie Watkins additionally noticed a shot tipped over, whereas Luiz had a aim disallowed because the ball had simply gone out of play, and John McGinn missed when by way of on aim with solely Ederson to beat.
City’s finest second got here, inevitably, from prolific striker Erling Haaland, however Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was equal to the problem, producing a implausible double save to cease his shot then a header seconds after.
“Today Aston Villa played better and we struggled, especially in the first half,” acknowledged Guardiola.
“The challenge now is going to Luton and trying to win the game,” he added, referring to City’s subsequent fixture on Sunday. “As a manager, I have to find the way to lift them again and find the way to win games. Now we’re struggling a bit.”
City have been lacking influential midfielders Rodri by way of suspension and Kevin De Bruyne with a prolonged damage, however nonetheless have a deep squad, so Villa followers can mirror on a real assertion victory that exhibits their immense progress below Emery.
The supervisor mentioned his group was after all comfortable at Villa’s sensible season to date however wouldn’t relaxation on their laurels and might be instantly making ready to host league leaders Arsenal subsequent.
“We have to be excited but we need to keep the balance. For now we have to be focused on Arsenal on Saturday. I want us to be a team with a winning mentality and be balanced,” he mentioned.
“We are aware of where we are in the table. But behind us is Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham and it is going to be very difficult.”
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Reuters)
