Mueez Ajao
– Bernardo Silva scored one of the goals of the season to help Manchester City beat Aston Villa and inflict Steven Gerrard’s first Premier League defeat as a manager.
– It was a fourth league win in a row for Pep Guardiola’s side, one that keeps them second in the table, one point behind leaders Chelsea.
– Silva showed world-class technique to side-foot volley Gabriel Jesus’ dropping cross into the roof of the net from just inside the area, after City ripped their hosts open with a rapid break.
Alao Read: Manchester City draw was a fair result – Salah
– That sublime strike doubled the visitors’ advantage before half-time, with Ruben Dias the unlikely source of their opener when he curled into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
– Villa have renewed resolve since Gerrard’s arrival though, and Ollie Watkins replied immediately after the interval with a neat strike from a well-worked corner routine.
– But the hosts were unable to find a leveller and Gerrard, having won his opening two games in charge, dropped points for the first time in the Villa dugout.
– Jack Grealish was brought on as a late substitute to make his first return to Villa Park since a £100m summer move, greeted by a mixture of boos and applause from the home crowd that once adored him.
