Man City vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Riyad Mahrez penalty wraps up win

Perhaps it only took the small matter of 115 Premier League charges, the prospect of expulsion from the division and being stripped of some of their titles for Pep Guardiola to pick something resembling his strongest side.

After a remarkable week, an unprecedented charge sheet and an extraordinary press conference performance from Guardiola came something more familiar: a rampant, dominant display from Manchester City. Guardiola had insisted their titles could not be taken from them and his side moved closer to a fifth Premier League crown under the Spaniard and a seventh in 12 seasons. Aston Villa were demolished before half-time. City are now only three points behind Arsenal and, with a superior goal difference, could leapfrog them at the top of the table with victory at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

Maybe off-field issues concentrated the mind for Guardiola. City had been weakened by managerial choice of late. With Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias recalled, they overwhelmed a side who had won their three previous away games. Strangely benched at Tottenham, De Bruyne was terrific. Gundogan played with a blend of class and purpose. City looked all the better for their return. Guardiola stopped playing games with his own side and City powered to victory, courtesy of an emphatic start.

Ilkay Gundogan gave his reaction to Sky Sports following the match saying: “The three points today help but it will be a completely different game [against Arsenal].

“It will be a tough game with the two best teams in England at the moment.”

Reaction from Manchester City’s Rodri who told Sky Sports: “Today was a game to show that we are in good shape, and from the first minute we did a great game. We are happy and now every game is a final for us.

“Here at the Etihad we feel if we score in the first minutes then the game is for us, so we are happy with the performance.

“We know there are a lot of games to go, but it’s a big one for us. We have to show we are better. They have been incredible but we made a step forward in this game, and we want to show the best version of Manchester City.”

Manchester City have won each of their last 13 Premier League home games against Aston Villa by an aggregate scoreline of 41-7.

Aston Villa have suffered back-to-back Premier League losses for the first time since Steven Gerrard’s final two games in charge in October.

This was their first away league defeat under Unai Emery (W3 L1).

Villa remain 11th in the table.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is the 29th manager to reach 250 Premier League games in charge.

His 184 wins are the most of any manager in their first 250 games. Jurgen Klopp is next on 160 wins.

90+4 mins: Manchester City get the job done at home. They’ve beaten Aston Villa and take all three points from this game putting them in a perfect position ahead of their clash against Arsenal this week.

If City were to win that match too they’ll go top of the table. This performance wasn’t top quality from the champions but they were destructive in the first half and earned their rewards.

Aston Villa responded well and Ollie Watkins got himself yet another goal. Looking for positives, he’s in brilliant form under Unai Emery.

90+2 mins: Off the bar! Aston Villa take a chance with a long ball up the pitch. It bounces kindly for Jhon Duran who sneaks in behind Manuel Akanji and meets the ball on the swivel volleying it towards goal.

It’s a rocket of shot that leaves Ederson rooted to the spot as the ball nails the crossbar and bounces clear.

90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play at the Etihad Stadium.