BirminghamLive brings you the talking points from Aston Villa's 1-0 win over Man City in the Premier League
Our dedicated Aston Villa reporter is always on the pulse of all things claret and blue, from major talking points to transfer news to match action, John Townley will bring you the very latest from Bodymoor Heath and Villa Park.
Matty Cash scored the only goal of the game against Man City
Matty Cash scored the only goal of the game against Man City(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
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After the first quarter of the season, Aston Villa sit just three points off second place having beaten Manchester City 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.
It’s the third successive time Villa have beaten City at home, following 1-0 and 2-1 victories in the previous two campaigns.
Matty Cash scored the only goal of the game following a set-piece routine from a corner, taken by Emi Buendia before the Argentine was shortly replaced by Jadon Sancho through injury.
City thought they had scored a late equaliser through Erling Haaland, but Omar Marmoush strayed into an offside position before finding the Norwegian at the back post.
Here are the talking points...
Never write off Emery's Villa
Villa went 15 games without beating Man City after Andi Weimann’s memorable winner, before Leon Bailey’s goal was all it took to down Pep Guardiola’s side back in December 2023.
Now, they’ve beaten City in three consecutive home matches - their best run against them since between 1960 and 1975. No longer does Guardiola’s team strike fear into Villa, even if their record at the Etihad remains poor. That’s down to Unai Emery being a top coach and the power of Villa Park.
Villa have lost just two of their last 24 Premier League home games since the start of last season, winning 14 and drawing eight - no ever-present side has lost fewer matches across that period.
There’s no escaping that Villa’s early-season form, and even more so their performances, were poor. That said, there’s no disgrace in drawing with Newcastle, while Brentford have also beaten Manchester United and Liverpool at home, as well as drawing with Chelsea.
Crystal Palace remain Villa’s bogey team, while Everton are always tough at home, and Sunderland currently sit fourth after a stunning start to the campaign.
Those were the games in which Villa failed to impress - though the results weren’t terrible. Wins could have been within reach had Villa played even slightly better.
Fast-forward five weeks from when Villa registered just one shot on target against Sunderland following Reinaldo’s sending off, and Emery’s side have sent a reminder to the Premier League: never underestimate nor write off this team.
Indeed, Villa are now only the second team in top-flight history to win none of their first five matches in a season and then win their next four - along with Preston North End in 1936–37.
“We started the season poor,” Emery admitted after the win over City. “We had doubts. How we reacted against Spurs and City - the players, with their commitment - it’s fantastic. Through the quality of the players, we can feel better and win matches like today.
“We lost on Thursday in a different competition, and we are trying to separate those competitions. We used the Europa League to help us build confidence. Now, in the Premier League, getting points gives us positive energy that the supporters transmit to us.
“We are feeling again like a fortress here. Teams can beat us, but we can reach a high level in everything. There’s still work to do, but we’re finding balance.”
Buendia leaves on crutches
Very little could have blotted such an impressive win on Sunday, but Buendia’s injury is both a concern and a blow for Villa.
He was excellent against City during the 30 minutes he played - evading challenges, occupying dangerous positions, and delivering an effective final ball.
Buendia’s start to the season has been a pleasant surprise, as he’s played at a consistently high level not previously seen from him.
He came off the bench against Fulham to score and assist in the 3-1 win, before opening the scoring against Feyenoord in Villa’s second Europa League fixture of the campaign.
As players left Villa Park, Buendia was filmed departing on crutches, with his right foot in a protective boot.
Hopefully, those are precautionary measures and the playmaker doesn’t face a long spell on the sidelines. His performances have been a breath of fresh air - especially for a player whose Villa career appeared to be over in the summer.
He would likely have featured away at Liverpool next weekend too, while Harvey Elliott might have been given an opportunity if eligible. However, as he’s on loan from Liverpool, Elliott will be unavailable for selection at Anfield.
Matty Cash of Aston Villa scores a goal to make the score 1-0
Matty Cash of Aston Villa scores a goal to make the score 1-0
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Austin MacPhee returns on crutches
As well as Buendia, Austin MacPhee also left on crutches, just like he entered Villa Park.
Villa’s set-piece coach has been absent from the dugout for a couple of games due to an injury sustained a few weeks ago.
The first sight of MacPhee on crutches came when he was pictured working with Portugal during the November international break.
The importance of his role can’t be overstated. A number of Villa’s points at season’s end will no doubt be credited to his meticulous set-piece work.
Defensively, Villa have conceded too many goals from set plays this season, though most have been due to players failing to react or defend properly.
John McGinn admitted after the defeat to Go Ahead Eagles that he and his teammates had prepared for the Dutch club’s creative free-kick routines but failed to adapt in-game.
Before facing City, Villa had conceded a set-piece goal in each of their previous league matches - largely down to basic defensive errors.
Having MacPhee is a major asset for Villa, as proven previously and sure to be again, even if he can’t currently spring up and bellow orders from the touchline.
Aston Villa defender Matty Cash (2) scores and celebrates
Aston Villa defender Matty Cash (2) scores and celebrates
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Matty Cash playing his best football
Cash is playing some of the best football of his career right now.
Arguably Villa’s player of the season so far, he has provided the perfect response to critics who often used him as a scapegoat when Emery’s side fell short last season.
It’s worth noting that improvements were needed - mistakes like the one at Old Trafford on the final day had to be cut out - and that’s been the case this campaign.
Not only did he provide the decisive moment for Villa, striking past Gianluigi Donnarumma, but he was also solid defensively.
City have an abundance of attacking talent and even had the luxury of bringing on Jeremy Doku late on - one of the best one-on-one dribblers in the Premier League.
Doku skinned Axel Disasi before assisting Matheus Nunes at the Etihad in City’s late win over Villa last term, but Cash was his match on Sunday.
He made four clearances, two tackles, two recoveries, and won four ground duels - a complete display from a player thriving under Emery.
Claret & Blue verdict
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