Aston Villa player ratings vs Man City: Chambers strong but Gundogan completes stunning comeback
Man City 3 Aston Villa 2 | Here's how we rated the players after an incredible second half with Villa leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Matty Cash and Philippe Coutinho
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Aston Villa were blown away in five crazy second half minutes as super sub Ilkay Gundogan scored either side of Rodri's equaliser which sparked chaotic scenes at the Etihad Stadium as Man City were dramatically crowned Premier League champions for a sixth time.
German midfielder Gundogan was City's last throw of the dice with Villa 2-0 up thanks to Matty Cash and Philippe Coutinho but, just eight minutes after coming on, turned the game on its head, heading home at the far post beyond Cash after Raheem Sterling's pinpoint cross.
It was soon 2-2 less than two minutes later, substitute Oleksander Zinchenko picking out Rodri who side-footed home past debutant goalkeeper Robin Olsen, in for the injured Emi Martinez. And then all hell broke loose with City's bench - including ex-Villan Jack Grealish - rushing onto the pitch to celebrate as Gundogan completed an incredible comeback, tapping home at the far post after a brilliant Kevin De Bruyne cross.
Villa, meanwhile, thought they were on to break their Etihad hoodoo having lost all 11 of their previous meetings but it was 12 today having not been able to hold onto their two-goal advantage. Cash powered Steven Gerrard's men in front, arriving into the box to convert Lucas Digne's cross while, after the restart, Coutinho stretched the visitors ahead, controlling a high ball after an Ollie Watkins flick on before shifting it pasy Aymeric Laporte and scoring his first goal since Leeds away on March 10.
Pep Guardiola turned to his bench to change the game in the second half with Zinchenko, Raheem Sterling and star man Gundogan all drafted on. Villa simply imploded as soon as Gundogan pulled City back into it and, within five minutes, it was 3-2 with City crowned champions before the crowd invaded the pitch as soon as the final whistle was blew by referee Michael Oliver.
Starting formation
4-3-2-1
Robin Olsen - 6
Settled into it after such a nervy opening 30-off minutes, typified when he clipped his first kick out of play. Gabriel Jesus charged the Swede down as well, with the ball thankfully running wide. Olsen stayed strong at his near post amid crosses being peppered across his six-yard box. The stopper almost claimed an assist with a brilliant kick out of his hands which set Watkins in on goal - only for the striker to fluff his lines. Olsen showed good handling as City kept coming but the onslaught soon arrived, with Olsen helpless.
Matty Cash - 7
Ghosted in to fire Villa ahead, powering home his header from six yards for his fourth goal of the season. Cash enjoyed a good battle with Foden down that right side, with Gerrard quick to get into his right-back's ear for some words of advice. Cash was devastated as he Gundogan nipped in behind him to pull one back with less than 15 to go. It was the same scenario for the winner, Gundogan ghosting in at the far post past Cash.
Calum Chambers - 8*
Immense in that first half, winning almost everything that came his way. Chambers really stood up to the task here and was a pillar of strength back there to keep City at bay. Did all he could, it has to be said.
Tyrone Mings - 7
Strong, committed, everything you expect from the captain who put everything on the line to keep City out. Mings won every header he competed for and did well to block crosses from the likes of Sterling. Did well.
Lucas Digne - 7
Chalked up his third assist in a fortnight with a brilliant cross that just told Cash, 'Go on then, son!'. Digne was equally good at the back as well, staying switched on and focused and constantly making the right calls whether to play out or hit it long up the channel. Digne was exceptional after the break, winning a key header amid pressure from Mahrez while putting himself in the right places at the right times.
John McGinn - 6
Almost picked out Coutinho just 10 minutes in, cutting back on his favoured left foot before Fernandinho cleared. McGinn bit down on his gum shield here, squeezing and pressing City shirts in an attempt to win the ball back. Couldn't contain City's powerful midfield as they rallied late.
Douglas Luiz - 5
Nipped in ahead of Rodri moments in to win the ball back while, at times, was a little unconvincing, typified when he allowed De Bruyne to sprint past him far too easily which started a City attack. Struggled as the game went on.
Jacob Ramsey - 6
Produced a trademark bursting run to get Villa up the pitch and, as City backtracked, he slipped Digne in prior to Cash's header to make it 1-0. Showed bundles of energy and real experience out of possession despite being just 20. Drafted off as soon as City scored their third.
Philippe Coutinho - 6
Popped a lovely ball into Buendia's path which started a Villa counter-attack while, moments later, was afforded time and space to shoot, only to send his effort trickling well wide of Ederson's post. Scored a brilliant goal to make it 2-0 before being taken off.
Emi Buendia - 5
Started alongside fellow No.10 Coutinho for the first time since Arsenal at Villa Park back in mid-March. Used the ball well when he had it but, like most, did a lot of chasing and running for the cause to keep City at bay. Didn't see a lot of the ball.
Ollie Watkins - 6
Caused Fernandinho all kinds of problems, hence the 36-year-old Brazilian being hooked at half-time. Watkins was too powerful and too quick for him, and he had an effort well blocked by Laporte before Stones came to Fernandinho's rescue with Watkins in on goal. Watkins, though, missed a massive chance to make it 2-0, scuffing his effort when one-on-one with Ederson after Olsen's kick upfield. Caused problems but lacked that killer instinct needed when you come to places like this.
Substitutes
Marvelous Nakamba on for Coutinho, 72 minutes
Danny Ings on for Ramsey, 83 minutes
Ashley Young on for Buendia, 88 minutes
SUBS NOT USED: Viljami Sinisalo, Morgan Sanson, Bertrand Traore, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chrisene, Tim Iroegbunam.
Opposition
MAN CITY: Ederson; Stones, Fernandinho (Zinchenko, 46), Laporte, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva (Gundogan, 68), Rodri; Foden, Gabriel Jesus, Mahrez (Sterling, 56)
SUBS NOT USED: Carson, Walker, Ake, Grealish, Palmer, McAtee.
Goals
MAN CITY: Gundogan (76, 81), Rodri (78)
ASTON VILLA: Cash (37), Coutinho (69)
Officials
REFEREE: Michael Oliver.
VAR: Darren England.