Manchester City scored a remarkable winner to overcome Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium in a crucial battle for the Premier League’s Champions League spots.
Pep Guardiola’s side ran out 2-1 victors over the West Midlands outfit, who had their share of chances to win the game. City, however, made them pay with the late winner.
It was almost the perfect start from the Villans, with Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford brilliantly striking the post just moments into the game.
However, City got the early goal through Bernardo Silva, crashing the box to meet a loose ball in the box and firing past Emiliano Martínez, who should have kept the chance out.
Rashford does tend to score against the Citizens, and he managed to get Villa back on level terms from the penalty spot, after Jacob Ramsey was fouled in the box by Ruben Dias for a coming together. The Villa number nine coolly slotted home to equalise.
When the game seemed to be fizzling out late on in the second half, it was City who came up trumps in the dying moments. Matheus Nunes got on the end of a cross from substitute Jeremy Doku who made a mockery of Axel Disasi. It was a vital moment, one that secured a huge three points.
There were certainly some standout players on the night for the East Mancunian outfit.
Man City's best players vs. Villa
Yet again, one of the best players for City against Unai Emery’s Villa side was young Nico O’Reilly. Defending against former City academy man Morgan Rogers, he did a good job of keeping the England international quiet.
Not only that, but O’Reilly looked potent going forward whenever the chance arose. As the stats state, via Sofascore, the 20-year-old attempted four crosses and created one chance against the Villans on Tuesday night.
In fact, the academy graduate wasn’t the only City player who stood out against Villa at the Etihad Stadium. It was another impressive performance from Omar Marmoush, who has eight goal involvements in 16 games for his new club.
Although he went without a goal or assist against Villa, it was his ball that deflected into Silva’s pass for the goal. Goal journalist Richie Mills was complimentary of his performance, giving him a 7/10 and explaining he gave Matty Cash “nightmares” all night long.
So, it was impressive stuff from O’Reilly and Marmoush in a crucial game for City in the race for the top five. However, some players struggled, including one man who has a fight on his hands for a starting spot.
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The Man City player who struggled vs. Villa
It was a tough night at the office for young James McAtee. The City number 87 had a golden chance to win the game in the second half after O’Reilly put a deadly ball into the box, but failed to capitalise despite two bites at the apple, notably airkicking the chance as it went begging.
Aside from that, he struggled to get into the game and actually had fewer touches than Stefan Ortega on the night, with 28 compared to 33.
His stats were largely uninspiring outside of that, failing to create a chance and winning just two from five duels.
Touches
28
Pass accuracy
88%
Passes completed
14/16
Number of times ball lost
6
Duels won
2/5
Tackles won
0/2
Chances created
0
Indeed, GOAL’s Mills seemed to think McAtee struggled against the Villans. He gave the Salfordian a 5/10 for his performance, stating that he can “be a bit too lightweight” at times, and explained he must “offer more in attack” in the future.
It will be interesting to see how McAtee breaks into the side in the long term. With Kevin De Bruyne set to leave, there might be a more permanent role for him, but he has struggled to become a regular this term. The 22-year-old has featured for just 885 minutes, or nine full 90-minute games, this season.
If reports as recent as last week are to be believed, City are targeting Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen, with Christian Falk reporting the race is “wide open” for the German. With that in mind, you certainly have to question how McAtee’s long-term future looks.
After a performance like the one against Villa, where he struggled to make a real impact in the right half space, it does seem like signing Wirtz would be a good idea for City. It is certainly a big few months ahead for McAtee, but on this evidence, he should be axed for the German when he arrives.
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1 ByJoe NuttallApr 9, 2025