Manchester City (4-5-1)
Joe Hart – 6: Had a very quiet afternoon with Villa failing to manage a shot on target. Distribution was sound.
Bacary Sagna – 7: Linked-up well with Navas and was solid throughout. Pushed further up the pitch as City pressed for a winner.
Vincent Kompany – 8: Will have more challenging days at the office, but was still assured and led by example. Will be disappointed his late header did not sneak in.
Nicolas Otamendi – 8: Was combative all game and what danger Villa did pose going forward, he generally dealt with.
Aleksandar Kolarov – 7: His final ball let him down at times but was a constant threat down the wing.
Fernando – 7: Seemed perhaps fatigued from City’s Champions League exploits and failed to stamp his authority on the game.
Yaya Toure – 6: As above, struggled to impose himself on the game which was perhaps due to Villa flooding the midfield.
Fernandinho – 7: Never stopped working, yet lacked his usual punch and panache.
Kevin De Bruyne – 6.5: Not his usual influence on the game and missed a sitter in the second-half when getting the ball tangled in his feet at close range.
Raheem Sterling – 5: Missed a couple of very good chances and struggled to justify his £49m price tag on this performance.
Wilfried Bony – 6: Sluggish performance before his injury 25 minutes in. Might have finished the chances City fashioned in the later stages of the game had he remained on the pitch.
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Substitutes
Jesus Navas – 9: Arguably the best player on the pitch. His energy and pace caused the Villa backline no end of problems.
Fabian Delph – 6: A 12-minute cameo appearance for the man who used to captain Villa. Had little effect on the game apart from a shot which trickled wide.
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