2 weeks Ago By Anthony Nlebem
Matheus Nunes scored a stoppage-time winner to give Manchester City a crucial 2-1 victory over Aston Villa , reigniting their push for Champions League qualification. Pep Guardiola’s side looked set for a frustrating draw at the Etihad Stadium after a Marcus Rashford penalty cancelled Bernardo Silva’s opener. But Nunes popped up with his first Premier League goal to snatch all three points for the home side.
The win lifted Man City to third place on the Premier League table and marked their 15th consecutive home league win over Villa. While not as iconic as their 2021/22 title-clinching comeback against the same opponents, the victory could be just as vital in financial and sporting terms. City now have Champions League qualification within their grasp, with just four games remaining.
Even if Nottingham Forest (4th), Newcastle (5th), and Chelsea (6th) win their games in hand, City are guaranteed to remain at least fifth, securing a likely Champions League spot under UEFA’s new format. It’s a far cry from City’s usual title-chasing status, having lifted the Premier League six times in the last seven seasons, but they remain determined to salvage their season with a top-five finish and potential domestic silverware. Guardiola’s men now turn their attention to Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final clash against Nottingham Forest at Wembley Stadium.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa must recover quickly for their semi-final against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Villa’s defeat follows their Champions League quarter-final elimination by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where they fell just short of a second-leg comeback..
