Manchester City Tops Aston Villa 2-1, Securing Champions League Spot

Manchester City moved closer to securing Champions League qualification after a dramatic stoppage-time winner from Matheus Nunes sealed a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa. Pep Guardiola admitted the season has been disappointing by their high standards, as City is set to relinquish the Premier League title to Liverpool, but he emphasized the importance of salvaging a Champions League spot. The match saw City briefly in control before a Marcus Rashford penalty equalized for Villa, but Nunes's late goal lifted City to third in the league, four points clear of Villa and Chelsea. Guardiola celebrated the win with rare intensity, describing Champions League qualification as akin to winning a trophy given the fierce competition at the top. Defensive lapses, including Ruben Dias's foul leading to Villa's penalty, have plagued City's campaign, but recent form suggests they are finishing strong. Villa, meanwhile, remain in the hunt for a top-five finish but were left disappointed by conceding another late goal.