Clinical City down Villa to earn fourth successive Premier League 2 win

Emilio Lawrence put Ben Wilkinson’s side in front just before the 20-minute mark with a close-range finish.

City’s high press saw us strike again, quickly. Nico O’Reilly’s low cross flashed across the Villa goal and was met by Farid Alfa-Ruprecht with a poacher’s finish.

A third before half-time put City firmly in the driving seat. This time Lawrence became provider as he teed up Will Dickson who volleyed us into a stronger lead.

A consolation goal from Kobei Moore meant City were unable to keep a clean sheet. 

But another fantastic performance was topped off by a late Justin Oboavwoduo strike which helped City secure all three points. 

WHAT HAPPENED

Last season’s encounter with the Villans saw the Joie Stadium play host to a nail-biting 4-4 draw.

And it seemed our latest clash with the West Midlands side would also see plenty of action in front of goal.

The visitors looked dangerous from kick-off. Kaden Young was the first to strike but his effort bounced off the post and into the hand of Jack Wint after the opening five minutes.

City quickly picked up momentum, keen to stop Villa in their tracks. A fantastic solo run by skipper O’Reilly saw him dance around Villa’s defenders with eye-catching footwork.

As he went to unleash a shot from the edge of the six-yard box, Aidan Borland put his body on the line to deny City the lead.

But five minutes later Lawrence broke the deadlock with a clinical finish that sneaked under keeper Sam Lewis from close range.

Fortune favoured City in that moment after full-back Triston Rowe slipped and in turn allowed Wilkinson’s side to regain possession in Villa’s third.

Looking to extend our lead quickly, City’s high press caused Villa more problems, O’Reilly receiving the ball on the left wing and playing a low cross across the six-yard box for Alfa-Ruprecht, who beat his man to the ball at the back post.

And 10 minutes later, to top off a fantastic opening 45 minutes of football, Dickson’s acrobatic volley put City three goals to the good.

A floated, pinpoint cross by Lawrence showcased another aspect of the winger’s game. And it would not have been possible if not for the sublime chipped through ball by O’Reilly that shattered Villa’s back line.

With a big half-time advantage, the second 45 saw fewer chances although former City Academy player Kane Taylor, who joined Villa in the summer, almost pulled one back for the hosts.

His left-footed effort skimmed just wide of the right post from the edge of the box on 57 minutes.

With substitutions from both teams, the momentum continued to slow whilst legs looked to get warm in the cold Manchester air. 

The visitors would find a goal of their own after some persistence. 

Kobie Moore pulled one back for the visitors with just under 20 minutes left to play. An initial Villa effort was palmed away by Jack Wint, who did well to react, but Moore was the quickest to pounce to the loose ball.

Then substitute Oboavwoduo re=established City’s three-goal lead five minutes before the final whistle.

The winger picked up the ball on the edge of the box and his 18-yard strike crept into the bottom left corner, just out of reach for Lewis to top off another fantastic night under the Joie Stadium lights.

HOW WE LINED UP

Jack Wint wore the number one shirt and was shielded by a back four of Laykle Samuel, Max Alleyne, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Seb Naylor.

In the engine room, Jacob Wright was accompanied by Jaden Heskey and captain Nico O’Reilly.

Will Dickson led City’s attacking line with Emilio Lawrence and in-form Farid Alfa-Ruprecht.

CITY XI: Wint, Samuel, Alleyne, Simpson-Pusey, Naylor (Mfuni 61’), Wright (Gray 61’), Alfa-Ruprecht (Oboavwoduo 74’), Heskey, Dickson, O’Reilly (Okeke 71’), Lawrence.

SUBS: Hudson. 

ASTON VILLA XI: Lewis, Rowe, Patterson, Katsukunya (Barnes 62’), Admundsen-Day, Alcock, Young (Broggio 63’), Borland, Moore (Cotcher 90’), Taylor, Jimoh-Aloba (Hemmings 73’).

SUBS: Proctor. 

WHAT IT MEANS

City continue to solidify our spot in the top five.  

With four wins and one loss, Ben Wilkinson’s side have 12 points from five games and sit third in Premier League 2.  

UP NEXT

A pause in play for our Premier League 2 campaign will see our Under-19s travel to Slovan Bratislava for City’s second UEFA Youth League game of the season.

Kick-off is scheduled for Tuesday 1 October and will be available to watch live on CITY+.