Steve Gerrard's coverage and free highlights from the first defeat at Aston Villa; Manchester City's advantage to put pressure on Chelsea; Ruben Díaz led the visitors; Bernardo Silva's amazing volley multiplied advantage; Ollie Watkins pulled a goal back; Jack Greliches booed when he returned
Steven Gerrard suffered his first defeat as Aston Villa boss as City won 2-1 at Villa Park to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Thanks to Rubendias' goal and Bernardo Silva's stunning volley after a fierce counter-attack, Pepe Guardiola's side created a stunning opening in the 45th minute of football and achieved a well-deserved lead at half-time.
Despite City's early dominance, Aston Villa had a good opinion of itself, hitting back directly after half-time through Orly Watkins.
The atmosphere was tense at the end of the game and substitute Kanechchuk Wimeca was brilliantly denied by Ederson to equalise manchester City, who brought in Jack Grelis late in the game as the £100 million signing returned to the boos of his former club, holding on to a hard-won victory that put them in second place in the table and one point behind Chelsea.
Villa, meanwhile, won under Gerrard, who were 13th.
Manchester City's Ruben Díaz celebrates a goal at Villa Park
City quickly took the lead, and the stunned Villa needed Emiliano Martinez to block Joao Cancelo and Rodri in the opening 10 minutes.
The home team withstood an early storm, with Leon Bailey eventually replaced by Ashley Young in the 31st minute with a hamstring injury, and his shot was brilliantly blocked by Oleksand Zinchenko after a good combination between Watkins and Amy Buendia.
However, just as Villa was gaining a foothold in the game, he found himself behind.
Raheem Sterling's entry point was passed all the way to Díaz, whose goal beat Martinez's desperate dive to find the bottom corner from 20 yards.
Bernardo Silva competes with Marty Cash and John McGinn
Two minutes before half-time, City struck again, using a shiny counter to separate the home team and double the lead.
A sensational move began when Riad Mahrez and Canceló cleverly stepped out of the narrow space of their own area before Fernandinho's pass released Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazilian's early cross selected Bernardo, while the striker flew past Martinez from 18 yards into the top corner with a brilliant first volley.
Aston Villa easily turned over after half-time, but Gerrard got the response he was supposed to be looking for immediately after half-time, as Villa pulled a goal back after Watkins drove Douglas Luiz's corner kick.
This gave them confidence that Nathan Acker poked Watkins' knockdown before lurking Ezry Konza and survived a brief VAR check.
Unlike much of the first half, City had to deal with some serious pressures as Villa refused to leave quietly.
With 19 minutes left in the game, Jesus was supposed to slide over Bernardo's cross, while Ederson won points for City three minutes later.
Buendia's skill and strength gave Chukowimeka a brilliant start, but only Ederson beat the 18-year-old goalkeeper who shot too close to the goalkeeper, who passed the ball to City to secure a major victory.
Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard: "The second half was very good. We probably deserve something from the game.
"We lacked confidence at the start of the first half. That's a combination of them having top players and managers. We got on our feet and conceded the ball. The second goal we could have stopped playing higher on the pitch. I got the response and I couldn't have asked for more. I think the fans appreciate that. We're already very close to getting something out of the game.
"We are playing against a team that has just played in the Final of the European Championship and they have world-class players and are probably the best coaches in the world. We are grateful for everything we face. But letting them go to the end is really positive. I couldn't have asked for more effort. ”
Manchester City manager Guardiola and Aston Villa coach Steven Gerrard at Villa Park
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola: "The game we played was fantastic. Tough game. We know that. I see why. Especially after conceding a goal earlier in the second half, the way we reacted... We played very well.
On whether the player will recover from injuries soon: "I don't know. Hope they can come back soon. The doctor came up to me and said, 'This guy, this guy and this guy can't travel' so I said 'okay. Bring the players from the academy and we'll go with them. ”
On whether they are ready for the championship challenge: "Do we have any other options? So, we will face challenges. ”