Aston Villa stunned Manchester City with a 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium, with Ollie Watkins scoring twice to secure a crucial win for the visitors.
Manchester City entered the match sitting second in the Premier League with 78 points from 37 games. Aston Villa arrived fourth with 62 points, looking to climb higher in the standings. City's recent form showed inconsistency, while Villa had momentum after a recent win.
The home side struck first in the 23rd minute when Antoine Semenyo found the back of the net. City controlled possession early, dominating the ball and creating chances. However, Villa remained dangerous on the counter-attack despite playing away from home.
Semenyo's opener gave City confidence going into the break. The midfielder's finish was clinical after finding space in the box. City had created the better chances in the opening period, registering three shots on target.
At half-time, City led 1-0 with 52 percent possession. They had attempted 16 shots compared to Villa's 12. The expected goals count favored City at 1.25 to 1.58, suggesting the match remained competitive despite the scoreline.
Villa emerged with purpose after the interval. The visitors equalized quickly in the 47th minute when Ollie Watkins finished past City's goalkeeper. Watkins showed composure to level the match and shift the momentum decisively.
Just 14 minutes later, Watkins struck again in the 61st minute. The striker's second goal proved decisive, giving Villa a 2-1 lead. City suddenly found themselves chasing the game at their own ground.
City pressed hard for an equalizer but could not break through Villa's defense. The hosts created chances but lacked the cutting edge needed. Villa's goalkeeper made crucial saves to preserve the advantage.
Watkins delivered a dominant performance, earning a 9.3 rating. He took just three shots but found the target twice. His movement and finishing proved the difference between the teams.
The statistics reflected a tight contest. City finished with 457 passes at 89 percent accuracy. Villa completed 435 passes at 91 percent accuracy, showing their efficiency in possession.
City managed only three shots on target despite 16 attempts overall. Villa's five shots on target from 12 attempts highlighted their clinical approach. The visitors' expected goals of 1.58 exceeded City's 1.25, justifying the result.
This defeat drops City to 78 points, while Villa climbs to 62 points with a crucial three-point haul. The result has significant implications for both teams' final league positions. Villa's victory shows they remain capable of challenging the top sides.
