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Man City player ratings vs Aston Villa: Aguero, De Bruyne and Mahrez ruthless in rout
Manchester City moved up to second in the Premier League with a thumping victory over Aston Villa, so which of Pep Guardiola's men impressed most at Villa Park?
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Manchester City leapfrogged up to second in the Premier League with a ruthless 6-1 win over Aston Villa. The reigning champions remain 14 points behind table-toppers Liverpool but the latest victory moves Pep Guardiola’s side past Leicester following the Foxes’ defeat to Southampton.
Riyad Mahrez opened the scoring with a wonderful run and finish after just 18 minutes then doubled the advantage with a clever volley six minutes later.
Sergio Aguero got on the scoresheet with a fierce drive and Gabriel Jesus made it four when the Brazilian tucked away a delicious cross by Kevin De Bruyne.
Aguero bagged a second with a trademark strike that took him past Thierry Henry’s record as the most prolific non-English goalscorer in Premier League history before the Argentine completed his hat-trick in the final 10 minutes while Anwar El Ghazi notched a late consolation from the penalty spot in injury time.
Express Sport have rated how the Manchester City players performed against Aston Villa, but do you agree?
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Manchester City player ratings vs Aston Villa – Premier League
GK: Ederson – 5
A spectator for almost all of the match before El Ghazi's late penalty.
RB: Joao Cancelo – 6
Offered good width as City stretched Villa from pillar to post and showed his versatility by stepping into midfield on occasions.
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CB: John Stones – 5
Will rarely get an easier night, although the England international did not look entirely comfortable up against El Ghazi and Jack Grealish.
CB: Fernandinho – 6
One of City’s unsung heroes this season, and went about his business professionally before being handed a well-earned rest.
LB: Benjamin Mendy – 6
Looked sluggish in the opening 45 minutes despite City dominating, but was much improved after the break and offered a threat in the final third.
CM: Rodri – 6
Used his physicality to bully the Villa midfield and kept his attacking team-mates well-supplied with plenty of possession.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne – 9
A class or two above the opposition, with his quality on the ball perfectly demonstrated by an un-defendable cross for Jesus’s strike.
Two assists and would have provided more if he hadn’t been taken off early.
CM: David Silva – 7
Overshadowed by De Bruyne but another excellent display from the diminutive midfielder, who played in Aguero for his second and kept City probing forward throughout.
RAM: Riyad Mahrez – 8
Got City off to a lightning start with a brilliant run and clever finish to open the scoring.
Then showed excellent technique to volley home the second and slipped Aguero through for his hat-trick.
LAM: Gabriel Jesus – 6
Handed a rare start alongside Aguero and showed good movement to pop up in the right place for his goal.
Missed a great chance in the second half and will rue not adding more to his tally.
ST: Sergio Aguero – 9
Absolutely clinical, bagging yet another hat-trick with a stunning display of finishing.
SUB: Nicolas Otamendi (on for Fernandinho, 63 mins) – 5
Got stuck in with some rugged challenges.
SUB: Phil Foden (on for De Bruyne, 63 mins) – 5
Tried to give City direction as the game petered out.
SUB: Ilkay Gundogan (on for Rodri, 70 mins) – 4
Guilty of giving away a late penalty following a foul on Trezeguet.