With such a commanding lead safely under their belts, City have taken their foot off the pedal and are now allowing Villa to aimlessly pass the ball around inside their half of the pitch. It's been a miserable afternoon for the visitors, which was made even worse by the fact that they defended so well in the first half only to collapse spectacularly in the second.
90' +1
Villa get forward well again, this time through Cissokho down the left flank. The Frenchman breaks towards the edge of the penalty area before trying to find Sinclair with a low cross into the middle of the box, but Kompany, who has had little to deal with today, is there to comfortably cut out the danger.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be three minutes of added time.
88'
Villa try to push forward on a rare foray into the City half of the pitch as they work their way down the right flank, but, understandably, there's no urgency in their attacking move and they are quickly dispossessed by the hosts' hard-working defence before they can cause their opponents any problems.
86'
City almost make it 5-0! Clichy picks up the ball in acres of space on the left-hand side of the penalty area and immediately fires a great low cross over towards the far post. It flies past every yellow shirt inside the box but there are no blue shirts there to meet it either, much to the frustration of the Frenchman.
84'
Navas is continuing to give Cissokho plenty of problems down the right wing, and the Frenchman doesn't seem to have learnt his lesson from earlier. As a result, the Spaniard is left in far too much space on the right-hand side of the penalty area and is able to fire a low cross into the box, but Guzan does well to cut out the danger at the near post.
82'
Sagna, who has spent the vast majority of the game camped deep inside the Villa half of the pitch due to the visitors' attacking struggles, finds himself with the ball at his feet 30 yards away from goal after good play by Clichy on the left flank. The right-back immediately unleashes a rocket of a strike towards goal, but it's completely overhit and fails to trouble Guzan.
80'
S. Sinclair enters the game and replaces J. Ayew.
Manu García enters the game and replaces Y. Touré.
Toure receives a rousing round of applause from the City fans as he's replaced by Garcia in the hosts' final change of the game.
Meanwhile, Garde has brought on Sinclair to replace Ayew for Villa.
78'
Once again, Navas cuts inside from the right flank and runs rings around Cissokho, who has really struggled against the Spaniard during the second half. He then cuts the ball back to Aguero, who is in a good position in front of goal, but the Argentine is quickly cut down by Gueye before he is able to unleash a shot.
76'
City work the ball around well before setting up Iheanacho, who finds himself in a pocket of space outside of the Villa penalty area. He takes a quick touch before unleashing a thumping strike, but it ends up flying just over the top of the crossbar.
Minute
Description
74'
L. Bacuna enters the game and replaces J. Veretout.
Veretout makes his way off to be replaced by Bacuna in Villa's second substitution.
73'
MISS! Aguero has the perfect opportunity to wrap up his hat-trick, but he ends up firing a thumping low strike into the post and out to the right wing. Guzan had dived the right way as well, and he most likely would have saved the effort even if it was sent a yard or so to the left.
72'
PENALTY! Ihenacho twists and turns inside the Villa box as he tries to beat Clark, and he skips past the centre-back with ease before being clumsily tripped to the ground, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot. The visitors' nightmare refuses to end...
70'
R. Gestede enters the game and replaces G. Agbonlahor.
K. Ịheanachọ enters the game and replaces David Silva.
Silva receives a standing ovation from the City fans as he makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by Iheanacho.
Meanwhile, Villa have made a change as well, with Gestede coming on to replace the ineffectual Agbonlahor.
68'
What do Villa do now? That's the question that Garde must be asking himself as he watches his side get torn apart. City are continuing to push forward and are thoroughly enjoying themselves whenever they're able to get into advanced positions, which, at the moment, is all of the time. Things could end up getting even worse for the visitors if they're not careful...
66'
R. Sterling has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by Jesús Navas.
Navas did well to skip past Cissokho before firing his cross towards the back post, but there was little pace on the pass and it really should have been dealt with by the Villa defenders. However, they all fell asleep and made no attempt to get near the ball, making life incredibly easy for Sterling.
GOAL! It's now 4-0! Navas cuts into the right-hand side of the Villa penalty area before cutting a low pass across the face of goal. It comfortably flies past every yellow shirt before finding Sterling at the back post, and, under no pressure whatsoever, the youngster is easily able to tap the ball into the back of the net from close range. This is turning into a nightmare for the visitors...
65'
City work the ball around quickly inside the Villa penalty area, with Aguero, Silva and Sterling playing important roles in the move. The latter then cuts the ball back to Toure, who looks to shoot but is unable to do so due to the pressure put on him by a group of three players, who close him down quickly.
63'
Chance for Sterling! The youngster is immediately involved in the action as he picks up the ball inside the left-hand side of the penalty area. He then unleashes a thumping strike towards the roof of the net, but Guzan does well to push it over the top of the crossbar with a great save.
62'
R. Sterling enters the game and replaces W. Bony.
Bony, who has had a difficult afternoon, makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by Sterling for the final half an hour of the game.
60'
S. Agüero has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by David Silva.
GOAL! Things have gone from bad to worse for Villa! Aguero and Silva combine wonderfully down the left flank, with the Spaniard teeing up the Argentine with a beautiful chip over Hutton and Richards, both of whom were caught ball-watching. The striker then darts into the penalty area before firing a low shot that flies past the outstretched arm of Guzan and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net to extend City's comfortable lead.
After a slightly quiet first half, Silva has burst into life and is now running riot inside the Villa half of the pitch. Both he and Aguero are exhibiting a wonderful understanding, and it's proving to be very difficult for the visitors' back line to deal with.
58'
Navas breaks down the right flank and cuts inside before teeing up Aguero on the edge of the penalty area. The Argentine immediately unleashes a thumping, first-time volley, but Lescott dives in front of the striker to stop it from troubling Guzan.
56'
A half-hearted City attacking move breaks down, and Villa immediately fly forward on a quick counter-attack down the left wing. Ayew does well to skip past Kompany, who is beaten far too easily, before cutting inside and heading towards the penalty area, but Otamendi stops the Ghanaian's run with an excellent sliding tackle.
54'
City patiently pass the ball around deep inside the Villa half of the pitch before Silva tries to tee up Bony on the edge of the penalty area, but just as the Ivorian is about to make contact with it Gueye dives in front to cut out the danger at the vital moment.
52'
It's been a miserable start to the second half for Villa, who defended so resolutely during the opening 45 minutes but now have a mountain to climb if they are to come away with anything. It looks as if it could get even more difficult for them, as City are continuing to fly forward in search of further goals.
50'
S. Agüero has scored a goal for Manchester City!
GOAL! City have doubled their lead! Bony picks up the ball just outside of the Villa penalty area and quickly sends a lovely through-ball into the path of Aguero, who darts into the box but is beaten to the ball by Richards. However, he sends his sliding clearance straight into the thigh of the Argentine, and the ball then loops over the diving body of Guzan and into the back of the net. It's all gone wrong for the visitors!
48'
Y. Touré has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by David Silva.
Silva did well to pick out Toure with his quick cut-back but the Villa defence should have done better in the build-up, as Cissokho was beaten far too easily by Aguero before the aforementioned Ivorian was left in too much space inside the penalty area, something that they didn't let happen during the first half.
GOAL! City have taken the lead! Villa are unable to fully clear the danger from the corner, and the hosts quickly come back once again. Aguero cuts inside from the right wing and beats Cissokho before cutting the ball back to Silva, who then quickly works it over to Toure. Camped on the penalty spot, the Ivorian is completely unmarked, and he's easily able to tap the ball off the leg of Richards and into the back of the net.
47'
Navas flies past Cissokho on the right wing and heads towards the byline before looking to send a cross into the penalty area, but the Frenchman does wonderfully well to dart back and dispossess the Spaniard before poking the ball out for a corner.
46'
And we're underway once again!
45' +1
City come back once again as they desperately try to find a goal before half-time. Another long ball forward in fired into the Villa penalty area, where it finds Aguero in front of goal, but the striker is quickly put under pressure by Clark and ends up firing his close-range strike well wide of its intended target.
45'
J. Veretout gets yellow.
Bony and Aguero link up well deep inside the Villa half of the pitch before the latter is clipped on the ankle by the Frenchman, resulting in a yellow card for the midfielder and a free-kick for City. It's taken quickly and launched into the left-hand side of the penalty area, where it finds Kompany, but the captain is unable to pick a teammate with his header across goal.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be just one minute of added time.
43'
Once again Navas fires a dangerous cross into the middle of the penalty area after doing well to beat Cissokho, but Lescott is there to cut out the danger with a vital interception. The former City defender has been in excellent form thus far and has arguably been their most important player.
41'
City work the ball down the right wing before Navas tries to swing a cross into the Villa penalty area, but it's underhit and fails to beat Cissokho. The wing-back then cynically pushes the Spaniard to the ground and gives away a needless free-kick as a result. It's flung into the middle of the box, where there is a group of blue shirts waiting patiently, but Lescott beats them all to the ball and heads it away from danger.
39'
Ayew and Kompany clash midway inside the Villa half of the pitch, and the referee awards a free-kick to City on the right wing. Toure swings a cross towards the edge of the penalty area, where it finds the head of Bony, but the striker's attempt on goal ends up looping straight into the hands of Guzan.
37'
Hutton loses the ball in a dangerous position, allowing City to fly forward on a quick counter-attack down the left flank. Aguero cuts inside before sending the ball out to Fernandinho, who is in space on the left-hand side of the penalty area. The Brazilian then cuts a pass back to Bony, but it's sent slightly behind the Ivorian and, as a result, he's unable to get a decent shot away.
35'
After a determined City attacking move breaks down, Villa immediately break away on a quick counter-attack through the middle of the pitch. They initially get forward well through Ayew, who then works the ball out to the left, but the visitors take far too long with the attack and allow the hosts to get plenty of bodies back to snuff out the danger with ease.
33'
Another dangerous cross is flung into the Villa penalty area from the left flank, but this time it's Clark who thumps the ball out for a corner with a vital volleyed clearance. The resulting set-piece is curled right on to the head of Bony, but the striker's attempt on goal is poor and Guzan is able to watch the effort sail comfortably wide of the goal.
31'
City work the ball from right to left as they try to penetrate the Villa penalty area. Clichy eventually finds himself in a pocket of space deep down the left flank and takes the opportunity to swing a cross into the box. It bounces off Otamendi before finding Aguero in front of goal, but, under pressure from three yellow shirts, he's unable to get a shot away and the ball ends up bouncing into the hands of Guzan.
29'
The pace of the game has slowed down somewhat over the past few minutes, and City aren't looking quite as sharp as they were earlier in the clash. Villa are now enjoying their fair share of possession and are patiently passing the ball around as they try to find a way through the hosts' compact defensive line.
27'
Hart is finally called into action! City are unable to get the ball away from their own penalty area as they're put under pressure by a determined attack from Villa. The visitors continue to press forward before the ball eventually bounces over to Ayew on the right-hand side of the box, but the Ghanaian's thumping strike is tipped round the near post by an excellent diving save by the hosts' goalkeeper.
25'
Aguero goes close! The Argentine and Bony play beautiful one-touch football on the edge of the Villa penalty area as they work the ball between a sea of yellow shirts. The former Atletico Madrid man then fires a brilliant low shot that beats the outstretched arm of Guzan, but it ends up flying into the side-netting rather than the back of the net.
23'
It just doesn't seem to be working for City, who, after starting so brightly, are starting to struggle to find joy inside the final third of the pitch. Villa have every available body camped behind the ball and, as a result, life has become incredibly difficult for the determined hosts.
21'
It's all City at the moment as they keep pushing deep into the Villa half of the pitch. Silva weaves his way towards the edge of the penalty area before cutting the ball back to Toure, who is in a pocket of space 25 yards away from goal. The Ivorian then tries to beat Guzan with a thumping shot, but it's overhit and sails comfortably over the top of the crossbar.
20'
Richards clatters into Silva and sends his former teammate crashing to the ground, resulting in a free-kick for City 30 yards away from goal. It's taken short and sent to Fernandinho, but the set-piece is poorly executed and the Brazilian's tame long-range strike ends up deflection off the wall of yellow shirts in front of him and out for a throw-in on the right wing.
19'
Another chance for Aguero! The Argentine cuts inside from the left wing and plays a quick one-two with Toure on the edge of the Villa penalty area. The striker immediately unleashes a rocket of a strike with his first-time shot from just inside the box, but once again Guzan does wonderfully well to push it away from danger with an acrobatic diving save.
17'
Aguero and Lescott battle for the ball inside the Villa penalty area before the latter nods it out for a corner, which, again, the visitors deal with well. City come back again quickly, however, and Sagna penetrates the left-hand side of the box, but he's unable to pick out a teammate with his attempted low cross.
15'
What a golden opportunity for Bony! Aguero is left in far too much space on the left flank, allowing him to dart down the wing on a marauding run. He then curls a beautiful cross into the middle of the Villa box, where it finds the aforementioned Ivorian in front of goal, but he completely mishits his first-time shot and scuffs it comfortably wide of its intended target. He really should have done better with that chance!
13'
City win themselves another corner, but once again Villa have enough bodies back to comfortably deal with the danger. They then break away on a blisteringly quick counter-attack down the right wing through Hutton, who, after running into a cul-de-sac of blue shirts, ends up spinning and teeing up Ayew. The Ghanaian then blasts a cross into the penalty area and towards Agbonlahor, but Hart is there to cut out the danger on the edge of the six-yard box.
12'
What a save by Guzan! Lescott's tackle results in a corner that is curled into the heart of the Villa penalty area. It initially fails to trouble the visitors before the ball bounces over to Aguero at the far post, and he skips past Cissokho before unleashing a thumping strike. It looks set for the top left-hand corner of the net, but the American goalkeeper does wonderfully well to tip it over the top of the crossbar.
11'
Excellent tackle by Lescott! Aguero embarks on a wonderful run as he weaves through a sea of Villa players before penetrating and looking to shoot, but just as he's about to he's dispossessed by a great interception by the former City centre-back, who timed that to perfection.
9'
Richards almost becomes the first player to receive a yellow card, but the referee decides to give the former City defender a stern talking to instead. He had clattered into the back of Aguero with a poorly-timed sliding challenge that sent the striker flying, and he was very lucky not to get booked as a result.
7'
Villa immediately break forward on a quick counter-attack through Hutton, who takes City by surprise with an excellent run down the right wing. He skips past both Aguero and Kompany with ease before heading into the right-hand side of the hosts' penalty area, but he has no one up there to support him and he ends up conceding a goal-kick after a clearance from Clichy deflects off his ankle and out of play.
6'
Sagna breaks down the right flank before sending a lovely through-ball past Veretout and into the path of Bony. The striker meets it well next to the byline before Cissokho pokes the ball out for a corner, but the set-piece fails to trouble Villa and they are easily able to deal with the danger.
4'
Bony loses the ball in the middle of the pitch, allowing Ayew to pick up possession before breaking forward. He's quickly shoved in the back by Kompany, and the referee decides to award Villa a free-kick near to the halfway line. It's flung up towards the edge of the City box, where it finds Agbonlahor, but the striker is unable to direct his header towards a teammate and it ends up bouncing over to Silva on the left wing.
2'
After spending the opening two minutes sitting deep inside their own half of the pitch as City patiently pass the ball around, Villa are finally able to push forward on their first meaningful attack of the game. Veretout initially does well to skip down the left wing before trying to cut towards the penalty area, but Otamendi is there to cut out the danger with a well-timed interception.
1'
And we're off! City get us underway, attacking from left to right.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Premier League game between Manchester City and Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.
It’s been a strange 10-day period for City, one that has been characterised by euphoric highs and crushing lows in equal measure. Last weekend’s Capital One Cup final victory and a strong performance against Dynamo Kiev the previous week had brought feelings of excitement and confidence to the Etihad, but their poor form in the Premier League is a cause for concern that has left fans scratching their heads in frustration. Wednesday’s lacklustre performance against Liverpool resulted in an easy 3-0 win for the Reds, and with it extended the Citizens’ league losing run to three games, their worst since 2007. As a result, Manuel Pellegrini’s men will be well aware that their chances of winning the title are slim, to say the least, as 10 points currently separate them and high-flying Leicester City heading into today’s games. However, this afternoon’s clash against the division’s bottom side brings with it a great opportunity to bounce back with a convincing win, and it is one that last season’s runners-up desperately need to grab with both hands if they are to avoid slipping further down the table.
As for Villa, three straight defeats of their own - including a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool - has left them languishing at the bottom of the table and with very little hope of pulling off what would surely be the greatest of escapes over the final two months of the season. The Birmingham-based club have struggled all campaign and are just about managing to hold on to their Premier League status by the skin of their teeth, but if results don’t improve soon then their drop to the second tier could be confirmed in little over a month’s time. Wins against fellow strugglers Crystal Palace and Norwich City were high points but positives have been hard to come by for Remi Garde’s men, who have picked up just three points from their last five games. This afternoon’s clash is set to be just as difficult as for them, as they must face a team that they have managed to beat just once in their last 11 league meetings, whilst the last encounter involving the two sides, January’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at Villa Park, ended in an easy 4-0 victory for City.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this afternoon…
Aston Villa XI (5-3-2): Guzan; Hutton, Richards, Lescott, Clark, Cissokho; Gueye, Westwood, Veretout; Agbonlahor, Ayew.
Manchester City substitutes: Caballero, Zabaleta, Mangala, Kolarov, Garcia, Sterling, Iheanacho.
Manchester City XI (4-4-2): Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy; Navas, Fernandinho, Toure, Silva; Bony, Aguero.
Aston Villa substitutes: Bunn, Okore, Bacuna, Lyden, Sinclair, Gil, Gestede.
Manuel Pellegrini has decided to make three changes to the City side that were beaten by Liverpool on Wednesday evening, with Bacary Sagna, Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony coming into the starting line-up to replace Pablo Zabaleta, Fernando and Raheem Sterling, respectively.
Meanwhile, Villa boss Remi Garde has decided to make just one alteration to the side that featured in Tuesday’s defeat away to Everton, with Leandro Bacuna making way for Jordan Veretout in midfield.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 0-0 ASTON VILLA
It's been an incredibly frustrating opening 45 minutes for the hosts, who have dominated possession deep inside their opponents' half of the pitch but have continually struggled to find a way past Villa's resolute and well-organised back line. The visitors have offered little going forward but have defended excellently, with Lescott putting in a particularly strong performance in the centre of defence to frustrate his former employers on several occasions. As a result, Aguero and Bony have found it very difficult to carve out chances on goal, with latter looking particularly rusty.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 4-0 ASTON VILLA
The referee blows his whistle for the final time and puts Villa out of their misery. It's been a horrible afternoon for them, as time and time again they were made to pay for sloppy defending by an excellent second-half performance by City. The hosts ran riot inside the final third of the pitch and made their opponents pay for their poor play, and as a result they leave with a comfortable, and much-needed, victory under their belts, one that keeps alive their chances of lifting the Premier League title come May.
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