Matty Cash sacked Aston Villa for a 1-0 win over Manchester City, leaving Josep Guardiola’s side six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Cash, who played a great pass in the build-up to Villa’s winner against Tottenham last weekend, showed off his technique at Villa Park in the 19th minute, firing a weak left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
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Matty Cash gave Aston Villa a dream start to their game against Manchester City and a brilliant finish.
Erling Haaland squandered a one-on-one chance moments later, and from then on Villa limited the visitors significantly, with City only managing to register two shots in total in the first half, with Savinho seeing Pau Torres’ effort deflected over the bar after a break-up.
Haaland, who had scored in his last 12 games for club and country, thought he had given his team back a point when he slid painfully against the post as he deflected the ball into goal in the 90th minute, but Omar Marmouche was understandably flagged for offside.
It was a brilliant tactical game plan from Villa manager Unai Emery. Villa’s team remained a threat at half-time throughout the game and could have doubled their advantage had Ruben Dias not made a block to deny Ollie Watkins and John McGinn.
Villa have now won four consecutive games in the Premier League, and after a slow start to the season, they have risen to seventh place, one point behind fourth-placed Manchester City. However, Guardiola’s side will be wary of the gap that has opened up between them and title rivals Arsenal.
It was City’s first defeat since August and only the second time this season they have failed to score. However, based on this evidence, they are quite a ways off from the level needed to seriously challenge for Premier League crowns.
More to come…
