Matheus Nunes scored an injury time goal to earn a crucial 2-1 Premier League victory for Manchester City over Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday in their pursuit for a Champions League place next season.
The teams appeared to be heading for a draw after Marcus Rashford’s penalty cancelled out Bernardo Silva’s goal in the first half, but Nunes fired home Jeremy Doku’s cross in the 94th minute to put City firmly on course for a spot in Europe’s elite club competition.
The strike was Nunes first goal for City this season in the league.
City climbed two places to third in the table on 61 points, but Pep Guardiola’s men have played one more game than the three teams directly behind them. Villa, who have lost 15 successive games at the Etihad Stadium, remained seventh on 57 points in the crowded top of the table.
Silva put City ahead in the seventh minute when Omar Marmoush raced by Villa right back Matty Cash before cutting the ball back for an onrushing Silva. Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez got his gloves on the ball, but not enough to stop it from sailing into the back of the net.
Rashford, who had a shot clatter off the post 18 seconds into the game, pulled Villa level from the penalty spot in the 18th minute, after VAR determined Ruben Dias clipped Jacob Ramsey from behind with his right leg.
Rashford calmly sent keeper Stefan Ortega the wrong way before slotting home.
