Clash of the Day | Late show makes City title favourites

With the longest winning run in the Premier League this season, Manchester City welcomed Aston Villa to the Etihad hoping to announce themselves as title favourites, but Villa had other ideas, planning to show themselves as the league's emerging force against a top side.

The Action: A Sergio Aguero-less Manchester City had some frustrations finishing their chances in recent games despite a water-tight defence, and it proved to be the same again as some last-ditch defending from Villa and their star keeper Emi Martinez left Pep Guardiola's troops with their heads in their hands after a dominant first half.

City eventually took the lead in controversial circumstances with eleven minutes to play when Rodri came from an offside position to dispossess Tyrone mings and send Bernanrdo Silva through for a curling opener. With the help of VAR, referee Jonathan Moss judged that Mings' touch was deliberate, legitimising the goal, but a fuming Dean Smith was sent off in the aftermath.

With Villa in search of an equaliser, City eventually closed out the game when substitute Gabriel Jesus headed a Riyad Mahrez cross against Matty Cash's hand, allowing İlkay Gündoğan to end the match from the spot.

The Big Picture: Manchester City are now top of the Premier League and almost everyone's favourites for the title, but despite their sublime defence they still have issues capitalising on their dominance, and a fully fit Aguero could end the title race. Villa will hope back-to-back losses don't dent their confidence.

Memorable Moment: By the letter of the law, City's goal marginally should have stood, but pundits everywhere were left outraged by the rule itself.

Man of the Match: Bernardo Silva was the difference-maker in a match where he could have done with some improved finishing from his fellow attackers.

xG: Man City (3.95) 2-0 (0.84) Aston Villa

Stat of the Day: John Stones has the joint best individual goal difference in the Premier League with +21.