Manchester City slump to fourth after defeat at Villa, Liverpool win – Egypt Today

Manchester City slump to fourth after defeat at Villa, Liverpool win – Egypt Today

Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz celebrates after the match REUTERS/Chris Radburn



(Reuters) - Champions Manchester City lost further ground in the Premier League title race when they went down 1-0 at Aston Villa on Wednesday after Liverpool beat bottom club Sheffield United.

 

Leon Bailey's deflected strike after a surging run in the 74th minute sealed Villa's club record-equalling 14th successive home league win as they moved above City into third place.

 

City, who have now gone four league games without a win, could have few complaints as they were comprehensively outplayed in all departments by Unai Emery's side in Birmingham.

 

It was Emery's first victory against a Pep Guardiola side at the 14th time of asking.

 

Liverpool eased to a 2-0 victory over Sheffield United for whom Chris Wilder was back in the technical area after returning on Tuesday following the sacking of Paul Heckingbottom.

 

Virgil van Dijk's first-half volley and a late effort by Dominik Szoboszlai were enough for Juergen Klopp's side who closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to two points.

 

Arsenal, who enjoyed a last-gasp 4-3 win at Luton Town on Tuesday, have 36 points from 15 games with Liverpool on 34, Villa on 32 and City in fourth spot on 30 points.

 

Manchester United bounced