Man City close on Premier League title with 2-1 win at Villa

BIRMINGHAM: Manchester City recovered from conceding a very early goal to win 2-1 at Aston Villa on Wednesday and move a step closer to the Premier League title after a game in which both sides finished with 10 men.

City, who are 11 points ahead of Manchester United with five games left, were caught napping early when Villa took a quick free kick. A pass from Ollie Watkins found John McGinn and he rifled the ball home with 20 seconds on the clock.

City equalised in the 22nd minute after a slick passing move that Phil Foden finished from the middle of the penalty area, and Rodri gave them the lead with a glancing header in the 40th minute.

The sending-off of City defender John Stones for a dangerous challenge on Jacob Ramsey before the break was cancelled out when Villa's Matty Cash picked up two yellow cards in quick succession, and City controlled the rest of the game to close out the win.