Edin Dzeko continued his fine goal scoring form as Manchester City moved within touching distance of their second Premier League title in three seasons. During an initially frustrating night for City, all their goals came in the second half, Dzeko netting twice, with Stevan Jovetic and Yaya Toure getting in on the act to bring up 100 league goals for the home side. Manuel Pellegrinis team dominated possession throughout the encounter and were worthy winners in the end, despite a spirited defensive performance from Villa. The victory means that City can seal the Premier League title with victory over West Ham on Sunday, although given their superior goal difference a draw should be enough. City went into the match having made two changes from the side that beat Everton on Saturday, David Silva and Aleksander Kolarov replacing Gael Clichy and the injured Sergio Aguero. Despite the absence of their top scorer, Aguero, the hosts started the match brightly, Kolarov and Vincent Kompany going close inside the opening ten minutes. The first clear-cut chance came in the 12th minute, Pablo Zabaleta cutting the ball back for Yaya Toure, but the Ivorian was denied by goalkeeper Brad Guzans trailing leg. As the game moved past the midpoint of the first half, City were still struggling to break down a disciplined Villa side, despite dominating possession. Manuel Pellegrinis team almost paid the price on the half hour mark, former Chesterfield striker Jordan Bowery fluffing a volley from six yards out, after Andreas Weimanns cross had picked him out. The tension around the Etihad was growing, especially when Samir Nasri missed a glorious chances in the dying minutes of the half, the French International putting James Milners cross wide from four yards out. City started the second half full of attacking intent and very nearly got the goal they so desperately craved, Kompanys acrobatic bicycle kick drawing a smart save from Guzan. Moments later Kolarov went close, the full back once again testing Villas American goalkeeper, this time with a 30-yard free-kick which was destined for the top corner. Pellegrinis side finally got the breakthrough in the 65th minute though, Silva sliding in Zabaleta, who fired the ball across for Dzeko to score his 15th league goal of the season. Five minutes later the hosts and Dzeko doubled their tally, Nasris effort parried by Guzan, allowing the Bosnian striker to tap home from a yard out. The victory was assured in the final minutes, with substitute Jovetic guiding the ball past Guzan from the edge of the area. And in the dying seconds, Toure rounded off a brilliant final half an hour for City, the former Barcelona man powering free from the halfway line and firing home. City now go into the final day of the season two points clear of Liverpool and one win away from completing a Premier League and Capital One Cup double.
Simon is an NCTJ qualified sports journalist. He has conducted interviews with Tony Adams and Peter Shilton, while also having work published in The Daily Telegraph and The Sun. Follow him on Twitter via @sr_collings.
