Aston Villa missed out on a great opportunity to record a big win over league leaders Manchester City and also secure a top half spot in the Premier League after they were beaten at home by the Citizens despite taking an early lead.

Former European champions Aston Villa scored one of the fastest goals in the Premier League this season to take the lead but they could not build on that fast start. Scotland national team talisman John McGinn gave Villa the lead after 21 seconds as he capitalised on the lack of defending in the City rearguard. McGinn benefited from the assist off striker Ollie Watkins.

Manchester City then showed why they are closing in on the league title by laying siege on the Aston Villa defence to score two goals and turn the game on its head through the impressive Phil Foden and Rodri. Portuguese international playmaker Bernardo Silva had a hand in both goals.

Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City players then suffered a scare when central defender John Stones was sent off for a dangerous foul on young Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey. Englishman Stones had his card upgraded from yellow to red upon review from the referee shortly after City had gone ahead for the first time in the game through the abovementioned Spanish defensive midfielder Rodri. Stones was sent off with few minutes left to play in the first half.

Aston Villa could not make that  numerical advantage count as they struggled to create chances until their right-back, Matty Cash was also sent off for two yellow cards. City thereafter cruised to victory despite the fact that it was a one-goal margin. The two teams finished the game with ten men.

With that slender 2-1 victory, Manchester City need just eight points from the final five games to seal the league title. For Aston Villa, they missed out on the chance to seal ninth place on the league standings with a win.