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

Man City 3-1 Aston Villa: The hosts were dominant as goals from Rodri, Gundogan and Mahrez saw the champions close the gap to three points of Arsenal

Michael Jones
Sunday 12 February 2023 13:56 EST
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Man City have 'already been condemned' - Guardiola on breaches

Manchester City produced a defiant response to the Premier League’s charge sheet as they comfortably beat Aston Villa 3-1 to close to within three points of leaders Arsenal on Sunday.

Goals by Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez put the result beyond doubt by halftime as City got back on track following last weekend’s loss at Tottenham Hotspur.

With the club facing more than 100 charges relating to alleged financial misconduct the home fans were in belligerent mood at the Etihad Stadium with a series of ironic chants.

Pep Guardiola’s side needed only four minutes to take the lead when Rodri headed in Riyad Mahrez’s corner and they were cruising when Erling Haaland set up Gundogan in the 39th minute.

Villa were left with mission impossible when Mahrez tucked away a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Jacob Ramsey was adjudged to have tripped former Villa player Jack Grealish.

Ollie Watkins scored for the third successive league match to reduce the deficit on the hour mark and Villa also struck the woodwork through substitute Jhon Duran late on but City never looked in any real danger of dropping points.

.Earlier, late goals from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho earned Manchester United a hard-fought 2-0 victory at Leeds. It meant United leap-frogged City into second place, but the Premier League champions then responded.

Leeds 0-0 Man Utd

24 mins: Manchester United haven’t really got into the game at all. Marcus Rashford has been isolated and Luke Ayling is doing a fine job of keeping the in form striker quiet.

Marcel Sabitzer is punished for an awkward tackle on Patrick Bamford and Leeds have the chance to get the ball into the box from a free kick.

Michael Jones12 February 2023 14:25

Leeds 0-0 Man Utd

21 mins: Shot! Bruno Fernandes releases the ball over to the right wing where it’s recovered by Jadon Sancho who drives down the line.

The winger pulls it back to Fernandes as he arrives on the edge of the box. Fernandes touches the ball into the penalty area then pulls his effort wide of the far post!

Michael Jones12 February 2023 14:20

Leeds 0-0 Man Utd

18 mins: Junior Firpo picks up the first yellow card of the game for a silly challenge on Jadon Sancho. The Leeds left-back stretches into a tackle and completely misses the ball before taking Sancho’s legs out from under him.

Man Utd have had plenty of the ball but they’re not comfortable in possession. Leeds are closing them down quickly and throwing in some hefty tackles.

Michael Jones12 February 2023 14:19

Leeds 0-0 Man Utd

15 mins: It’s been a frenetic start to this game with Leeds winning a free kick and whipping the ball quickly into the box before David De Gea hurridly boots it clear.

Michael Jones12 February 2023 14:17

Leeds 0-0 Man Utd

11 mins: Luke Ayling and Crysenico Summerville combine on Leed’s right wing winning a throw deep in Man Utd’s half. The visitors defend it well as the ball comes into the box but Wout Weghorst is unable to hold up play when the clearance comes up the pitch to him.

Michael Jones12 February 2023 14:13

Leeds 0-0 Man Utd

8 mins: A quick attack from the visitors sees them work the ball up to Wout Weghorst who holds it up before slipping a pass across to Bruno Fernandes.

Fernandes plays the ball into the right side of the box where Jadon Sancho looks to square one into the six-yard area but has his pass intercepted.

Michael Jones12 February 2023 14:08

Leeds 0-0 Man Utd

6 mins: Weston McKennie lunges into a well-timed tackle on Tyrell Malacia to halt his forward run. The Man Utd defender lands awkwardly on the deck and needs a bit of treatment.

Leeds have started strongly here, they’re almost bullying Man Utd.

Michael Jones12 February 2023 14:07

Leeds 0-0 Man Utd

3 mins: Manchester United look to have set up with a back three with Tyrell Malacia pushing into midfield.

Leeds are pressing with intensity and ferocity. They want to impose themselves on the game and Tyler Adams opitimises that with a heavy challenge on Jadon Sancho.

Chance! Leeds whip the ball into the box from the left wing and force David De Gea into a low save. The ball bobbles out to Crysencio Summerville inside the penalty area but he’s pressured by Malacia and lifts his effort over the crossbar!

Michael Jones12 February 2023 14:05

Kick off: Leeds 0-0 Man Utd

Manchester United kick off the match at Elland Road knowing they need a better start to the one at Old Trafford where Leeds took the lead inside the first minute.

The ball comes back to Harry Maguire who is pressed immediately by Patrick Bamford but the Man Utd captain calmly knocks it back to David De Gea.

Michael Jones12 February 2023 14:01

Leeds vs Man Utd

Here come the teams.

There’s a rare Premier League start for Manchester United captain Harry Maguire who leads out the visitors at Elland Road this afternoon.

Leeds will move four points clear of the relegation zone if they manage to defeat the Red Devils today but if Man Utd win they’ll move up to second in the table ahead of Pep Guardiola’s Man City.

Michael Jones12 February 2023 13:57

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