BIRMINGHAM, England -- Without their best player, conceding after 21 seconds and having a man sent off in the first half, Manchester City could have ignited a title race at Villa Park on Wednesday night. Instead, Pep Guardiola's side beat Aston Villa 2-1 and showed why they deserve to be champions.
Another eight points from their final five games will seal it regardless of what Manchester United can do between now and the end of the season. On this evidence, they will be worthy winners.
With slick football, goals and incident, it was a game that might even have been exciting enough for Florentino Perez.