Analysis: Routine win over champions serves timely reminder of Aston Villa's quality

Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Manchester City might not have heralded the same fanfare as last December’s 1-0 triumph over the same opponents, in large part because Pep Guardiola’s team are so clearly a faded force.

Yet in the context of a Villa season which had become riddled with inconsistency, this was the perfect performance and result to restore confidence both in the stands and on the pitch, a reminder to Unai Emery’s men of just how good they can be when everything comes together.

Guardiola, who has now seen his own unit beaten in nine of their last 12 matches, later claimed City performed better than they had at Villa Park a year ago.

That might well be true. This time, City actually scored. But while Phil Foden’s goal deep into stoppage time might have caused a few hearts to flutter among the more nervous of the home side’s support, the truth is Villa’s win rarely looked in doubt from the moment Jhon Duran fired them in front 16 minutes in.