MATTY CASH STRIKE SEALS ASTON VILLA’S 1–0 WIN OVER MANCHESTER CITY ON EMERY’S THIRD ANNIVERSARY
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Agency Report
Aston Villa marked manager Unai Emery’s third anniversary in charge with a memorable 1–0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday, thanks to a first-half strike from Matty Cash.
The win Villa’s fourth consecutive in the Premier League lifted them to seventh place and extended their impressive home record against City to three straight victories. The result also snapped Pep Guardiola’s side’s nine-match unbeaten run across all competitions, leaving the champions six points behind league leaders Arsenal.
City nearly took the lead in the sixth minute when Tijjani Reijnders’ shot flew just over the bar, but Villa soon took control. The decisive moment came in the 19th minute when a short corner routine found Emiliano Buendia, whose cross was met by Cash on the edge of the area. The Polish international controlled the ball superbly before curling a low shot into the bottom corner.
Three minutes later, City almost levelled through Erling Haaland after Bernardo Silva broke the offside trap, but the Norwegian’s effort was too close to Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
From then on, Villa dominated. John McGinn’s shot deflected off John Stones, and Ollie Watkins saw a free header blocked from the resulting corner. McGinn went close again early in the second half with another effort that was denied.
City pushed hard for an equaliser in the second half, but Villa’s defence stood firm. Ezri Konsa blocked a fierce shot from Savinho, and Pau Torres cleared the rebound off the line. Substitute Jadon Sancho, who replaced the injured Buendia, came close to doubling Villa’s lead in the 69th minute but was denied twice by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
City thought they had salvaged a point in the 89th minute when Haaland tapped in at the far post, but the goal was ruled out for offside against Phil Foden in the buildup.
The final whistle confirmed a famous win for Villa, capping a triumphant afternoon for Emery and his side as they continue to mount pressure on the Premier League’s top four.
AFP
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