The Belgian was awarded the goal, as his teasing cross seemed to evade everyone before bouncing into the back of the net – although there had been a suggestion David Silva had converted with the slightest touch.
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De Bruyne explained he thought the Spaniard did make contact with the ball, but added the scorer was not significant – only the score.
“I’m not claiming it!” he smiled. “I think David Silva got a touch.
“I put the cross in a dangerous area so that if someone touches it, it can be dangerous.
“I have no idea if David felt it. They’ve given it to me but I have no idea!”
While Villa produced a spirited first half display to stifle the Champions, City stormed into the second half with a goal within a minute of the restart to break the deadlock.
De Bruyne had been impressed with the visitors’ attacking approach but believes his side deserved to win, based on the hosts’ clinical second half display.
“In the second half, we started really well and after the goal, we had a really good performance,” he continued.
“In the first half, they had a couple of counter-attacks. It’s going to happen.
“We played on Tuesday and sometimes the opposition can be a little bit fresher – but overall, we deserved to win.
“90% of the teams are trying one tactic against us. In the first half, we lacked intensity – it was too low from our point.
“We want to set up right. We gave them too many counter-attacks. We had to put the intensity up and in the second half, we were a different team.
“The early goal in the second half helps to gain the advantage – maybe they have to come out a bit more.
“In the second half, they didn’t have too many counter-attacks. We were better in possession. Overall, it was a good performance.”
With league leaders Liverpool in action on Sunday afternoon, City closed the gap atop the Premier League table – if only temporarily – but De Bruyne dismissed suggestions of early advantages in the title race.
“There’s no point worrying,” he said. “There are so many games – plus the Champions League and the cups.
“People will say that if City or Liverpool play, we will win but that’s not how it goes.
“It is different to two years ago when we were ten points ahead and you know you can make a mistake; but sometimes, it is better to be behind or close. You keep focused.
“A lot of teams have a lot of quality. It’s not a given that we will win but we will try to do our job.
“We have to keep going on Tuesday (against Southampton in the Carabao Cup).
“It’s so difficult but that goes for another 40, 50 games for the season. It’s so long.
“Since the international break, we have won three in a row – so let’s keep going.”
