In a crucial Premier League clash, Matheus Nunes delivered a dramatic added-time winner to secure a 2-1 victory for Manchester City over Aston Villa, giving their top-five hopes a significant boost. This win propelled City into the driver’s seat for a Champions League qualification spot, with four favorable fixtures remaining against Wolves, Southampton, Bournemouth, and Fulham.
The match began in frantic fashion, with Villa’s Marcus Rashford threatening early. In just 17 seconds, Villa nearly opened the scoring as City’s midfield failed to track the ball, and Rashford’s powerful shot hit the post. However, City quickly responded with a well-worked goal. Omar Marmoush’s cross from the left deflected into the path of Bernardo Silva, who capitalized on a weak parry from Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez to score.
Villa’s equalizer came from a penalty after a foul by City’s Rúben Dias on Jacob Ramsey. Despite initial reluctance from referee Craig Pawson, VAR intervened, and Rashford confidently converted the penalty, sending the game into a tense second half.
City’s frustration with the refereeing was palpable, especially when Guardiola was booked for angrily protesting the penalty decision. Nevertheless, the match continued at a high tempo, with both sides creating chances. Martínez had a near-miss when his poor clearance fell to Silva, but he managed to recover and smother the ball before it resulted in a goal. Rashford, Villa’s most dangerous player, continued to terrorize City’s defense, but his attempts at goal were either blocked or off target.
City pressed forward in the latter stages, with James McAtee and Mateo Kovacic coming on as substitutes, but Villa remained resolute in defense. The breakthrough finally came in the dying moments of the game. After a series of corners, Kevin De Bruyne’s delivery found Nunes in the box, and the Portuguese midfielder’s powerful strike was too much for Martínez to handle, securing the three points for City.
With the win, City moved closer to securing a Champions League spot, while Aston Villa were left to reflect on missed opportunities. The match was a reminder of the fine margins in the race for European qualification, and Nunes’ late goal proved to be the difference in a game full of drama and tension.
