YAYA TOURE AND SERGIO Aguero scored late goals as Manchester City climbed to second place in the Premier League with a hard-earned 2-0 victory at Aston Villa this evening.
Villa offered dogged resistance, but Toure broke the deadlock with a characteristically languid strike in the 82nd minute and Aguero lashed home a second six minutes later.
Victory takes Manuel Pellegrini’s side to within two points of leaders Chelsea, who host Arsenal on Sunday.
With Eliaquim Mangala back in the team, defending champions City bossed proceedings in the first half at Villa Park without ever truly exposing their hosts.
Aguero hit the post from James Milner’s pass early in the second period, but Villa quickly counter-attacked and City goalkeeper Joe Hart had to save from Kieran Richardson.
Belgian striker Christian Benteke made his return for Villa as a substitute after six months on the sidelines with a ruptured Achilles tendon, but it was City who dominated the closing stages.
David Silva prodded wide and Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan saved from Aguero, Mangala and Frank Lampard, before Toure made the breakthrough with a curling left-foot shot from the edge of the box.
Aguero made the points safe in the 88th minute, gathering a pass from Milner and crashing a shot inside the right-hand post.
As Yoda said “size matters not”. Sure, if size was the defining factor Tony Buckley would be the greatest tighthead to don the green
He’ll always be remembered for throwing the scrum half out of the way…
And for choke slamming simon shaw against wasps
And for pile driving Richie McCaw into ground as if he was an U16!!!