Manchester City dominated Aston Villa to come away with a 4-0 win at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
A brace from Sergio Aguero with goals either side of the double from Yaya Toure and Raheem Sterling saw Manuel Pellegrini's men bounce back to winning ways following a run of three straight league losses.
The opener came three minutes into the second half when Toure calmly side-footed home a squared pass from David Silva after some good lead-up play from Aguero.
The Argentine striker then made it 2-0 two minutes later when the ball fortuitously bounced past an onrushing Brad Guzan when Micah Richards attempted to clear a dangerous through ball from Wilfried Bony only to knock it into the feet of Aguero.
10 minutes later it was three goal to City thanks to Aguero who played a series of passes with Silva before firing a splendid volley inside Guzan's near post for his 16th of the campaign.
In the 66th minute, the contest was well and truly put to bed when Sterling simply knocked home Jesus Navas' evasive low cross from six yards.
Aguero could have made it a hat-trick in the 73rd minute but fired his penalty into the upright after Kelechi Iheanacho had been tripped in the area by Ciaran Clark.
The victory has City sitting fourth on the table, two points behind third-placed Arsenal, as Remi Garde's Villa remain at the foot of the table and are now nine points from safety.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Manchester City: 4 (Yaya Toure 48', Sergio Aguero 50'/60', Raheem Sterling 66')
Aston Villa: 0
Etihad Stadium, Manchester - 53,892
TALKING POINTS
- Are City still in with a sneaky title shot? Or is the 10 points to make up too much? Can they at least hold out West Ham and Man Utd to clinch a Champions League spot?
- Is there any way Villa can end the season on a high? Just a few positive displays? Or is any spark at the club now distinguished?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Man City next meet Norwich at Carrow Road on Saturday as Villa prepare to host Tottenham on Sunday.
TWITTER INSIGHT
A big win to stay in the race. It's a tough one but we'll fight 'til the very end as usual. C'mon, City!
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) March 5, 2016
Excellent victory The most important thing is to continue to fight in order to reach our objectives #CMONCITYpic.twitter.com/Uwlv9krcsn
— Nicolas Otamendi (@Notamendi30) March 5, 2016
QUOTES CORNER
Man City's Pellegrini on the plan for the rest of the season:
"We need the other teams to lose points, we are not just dependent on what we do, but we are sure we are going to take every game as a final.
"I am sure we are going to be involved in the title (race) to the end. The margin for error is very small but I think this team has the experience to try to do it."
Villa boss Garde on if he has lost faith in his ability as a manager:
"I'm very confident in my management. I have no problem with that. I have problems, but not with my own management."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
5 - Sergio Agüero has scored five goals in his last four Premier League matches against Aston Villa. Sharp.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 5, 2016
55 - David Silva has assisted 55 Premier League goals since his debut; 11 more than any other player in this period. Creator.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 5, 2016
