Manchester City defeated Aston Villa thanks to an Edin Dzeko brace and Stevan Jovetic goal to get one hand on the Premier League title. Watch video highlights.
Manchester City overcame a resolute Aston Villa side at the Etihad Stadium with two second half goals from Edin Dzeko.
The visitors frustrated Manuel Pellegrini’s side with a stoic defensive effort, keeping men behind the ball and countering on the rare occasions an opening appeared.
Samir Nasri and Andreas Weimann each had decent chances in the first half, but the two sides went into the break goalless – with the pressure on Man City to break the deadlock.
As so often in both this season and previous campaigns, it was David Silva who provided the moment of inspiration, with the Spaniard’s through ball playing in Pablo Zabaleta.
The right back’s cross was turned in by Dzeko at the near post, and when Silva had a shot saved by Brad Guzan in the Aston Villa goal a few minutes later, the Bosnian forward tapped in the rebound to give the hosts a two goal lead.
Although Weimann hit the crossbar late on, Man City soon extended their lead even further.
Stevan Jovetic fired in a low shot from edge of the area from Yaya Toure’s pass, and the Ivorian colossus soon made the points extra safe with a magnificent solo effort in stoppage time.
Manchester City now most likely only require a draw against West Ham United to claim the Premier League title thanks to a vastly superior goal difference to that of rivals Liverpool.
Man City v Aston Villa video highlights will be available here from midnight.
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