Nunes puts City in box seat for Euro scramble

MATHEUS NUNES produced a moment of magic for Manchester City to win a thriller against Aston Villa.

- By Jeremy Cross

Nunes popped up at the back post deep into added time to snatch a dramatic triumph that handed a huge boost to City's hopes of securing Champions League qualification.

Pep Guardiola celebrated the goal like he had won the Champions League itself, while Aston Villa manager Unai Emery closed his eyes in the hope he had imagined it all.

The result lifted City into third place, four points clear of Villa and Chelsea, with the same number of games to go.

Marcus Rashford had equalised for Villa from the penalty spot in the 18th minute to cancel out Bernardo Silva's early opener.

Home manager Guardiola made two changes but stuck with the same squad as the one that won at Everton last Saturday.