Two late goals give City victory over Aston Villa

Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero produced late moments of brilliance to earn Manchester City a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday, keeping the champion in touch with English Premier League leader Chelsea.

Toure dribbled to the edge of the penalty area in the 82nd minute and curled a left-footed shot past American goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who produced a string of second-half saves to keep Villa in the game.

Aguero, one of two City players to hit the post when the score was 0-0, rifled in a fierce shot from 20 yards in the 88th to ensure there was no way back for Villa, and guarantee the visitors a fourth win in seven matches in the defense of their title.

City provisionally moved to within two points of Chelsea, whose game in hand is against Arsenal on Sunday. City and Chelsea are widely tipped to challenge for the title this season.

Toure’s first league goal will silence those who have criticized his contribution to City’s cause this season after his stunning 2013-14 campaign, when he scored 24 times in all competitions.

Aleksandar Kolarov struck a deflected shot against the post in the first half, Edin Dzeko wasted two good chances and City failed to turn relentless pressure into goals.

That was until Toure breezed through two midfielders and shot calmly past Guzan, with Villa’s defense paying for dropping deeper and deeper. AP