This archive report was first published on 26 October 2019.
Manchester City's Raheem Sterling scored twice as the team secured a 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday, October 26, 2019, at the Etihad Stadium.
The victory lifted Manchester City above Leicester into second place in the Premier League, putting pressure on Liverpool to beat Tottenham in Sunday's clash at Anfield.
Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, praised Sterling's performance, saying, "Aston Villa played very well in the first half and we played not so good. They are newly-promoted and played with real spirit, attacking the channels well."
Guardiola also acknowledged that his team had been below their best at the start, but they took control after the interval, with Sterling scoring the opening goal in the 55th minute.
Manchester City's second goal came in the 65th minute, courtesy of a cross from Kevin De Bruyne that was flicked into the net by David Silva.
The result was sealed in the 70th minute when Ilkay Gundogan scored a clinical finish after Villa failed to clear.
Manchester City's victory was their second successive league win, and it came just days after Sterling scored a hat-trick in the team's Champions League demolition of Atalanta.
