Aston Villa 1-0 Man City: Leon Bailey's deflected strike sees hosts leapfrog Champions into third

Aston Villa leapfrogged Manchester City into third place with a club-record 14th home league win in a row, beating the champions more comfortably than the 1-0 margin suggests as Unai Emery finally defeated Pep Guardiola at the 14th attempt.

Villa are only four points behind leaders Arsenal and have the opportunity to close the gap to one point on Saturday when they host the Gunners at fortress Villa Park in a mouthwatering duel.

Both goalkeepers performed admirably to keep the first 15 minutes goalless. Emiliano Martinez made two great saves in quick succession to deny Erling Haaland after Ederson saved well from Pau Torres.

Those were the champions' only two shots of the game, while Villa had 22 attempts, the most shots conceded by Man City in a Premier League match under Guardiola.

Douglas Luiz rose highest to head in Lucas Digne's cross for Villa, but the goal was ruled out because Digne was unable to keep the ball in play.

After halftime, Villa continued to create chances, and in the 74th minute, Leon Bailey converted one of them.

Bailey drove at the heart of Man City's defense on the counter-attack, and his shot deflected off Ruben Dias and looped over Ederson for his fifth league goal of the season, sending Villa Park into a frenzy.

Douglas Luiz almost doubled the lead, but his curling strike from the box cannoned off the right post.

City were well below par and have now gone four league games without a win, remaining on 30 points and six points off the top.

SportsLigue