Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes the corner which gave Aston Villa a home lead against his side in the Premier League on Sunday should not have been awarded.
Matty Cash opened the scoring from distance immediately after Guardiola complained about a Lucas Digne challenge on Matheus Nunes, with former top striker Clinton Morrison claiming the goal was the result of a refereeing error.
Matty Cash’s touch and finish 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/E6AIaLj5HW
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 26, 2025
“Digne kicks Nunez,” said Morrison, who predicted Oliver would balance his decision by awarding City a free kick on Emiliano Buendia’s delivery.
“It’s a free kick. Michael Oliver knows he made a mistake – that’s why it took him so long to decide whether it was a corner or not.
“Dynamism [was] in the ear of the fourth official. [Oliver] knows he made a big mistake.
Aston Villa vs Man City: Money goal is ‘fantastic’
Cash proved his ability to score from long range with his fourth goal in nine league matches and for Poland, making the breakthrough from Villa’s first corner in the 19th minute to put Unai Emery’s side on course for seventh with a fourth consecutive victory in the top flight.
“Villa got their place on set pieces,” said Morrison, who has been directly involved in 22 goals in 88 Premier League appearances for Crystal Palace and Birmingham City.
“It’s fantastic from Buendia and people are decoying. Matty Cash still has a lot to do. His touch is fantastic and he drills it with his left foot into the bottom corner.
“City have one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but [Gianluigi] Donnarumma had no chance. It’s a brilliant goal from Matty Cash.
The Cityzens, who arrived on a run of three successive league wins as part of a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions, were disappointing in the first half and cannot end the day higher than fourth if they lose.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
Emery made six changes to the side that lost 2-1 to Dutch club Go Ahead Eagles in the Europa League on Thursday, bringing in Cash, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne in defense and Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Morgan Rogers in midfield.
Victor Lindelof, Tyrone Mings, Ian Maatsen, Lamare Bogarde, Jadon Sancho and Evan Guessand have made way.
Aston Villa from eleven: Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Morgan Rogers, Amadou Onana, Emiliano Buendia
Aston Villa substitutes: Blaco Watkins, Virton Lings, Ross Barcley, Donel Malan, Jadon Sandan, Ian Maats, Ian Maats, Ian Matsan, Ian Matsan, Ian Matsan, Ian Maats, Ian Maats, Ian Maats, Ian Maats, Ian Matsan, Ian Matsan, Ian Matsan, Ian Maats, Ian Maats.
Man City vs Villa team
Guardiola made three changes in midfield from the side that started 2-0 at Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Tiijani Reminders responds to Nico Gonzalez, while Phil Feden and Oscar Bobb Chame replace Rico Lewis and Jeremy Doku.
Man City starting XI: Gianluigi Donnnarumma, Matheus Nuns, John Stones, Rebub Dias, GVardiol, Bobb Oscar, Phil Foden, Philjani.
Manchester City substitutes: James Trafford, Nathan Ake, Omar Marmoush, Mateo Kovacic, Ryan Cherki, Jeremy Doku, Nico Gonzalez, Nico O’Reilly, Rico Lewis
How to watch Aston Villa vs Man City: TV, live streams online
Aston Villa vs Manchester City kicks off on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. GMT and is broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra.
Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a one-day subscription, £28 per month for a 12-month subscription or £34.99 per month without a contract.
Streaming to a wide variety of devices is available via the Sky GO app.
Premier League results and schedule this weekend
Friday October 24
Leeds United 2-1 West Ham
Saturday October 25
Chelsea 1-2 Sunderland
Newcastle 2-1 Fulham
Manchester United 4-2 Brighton and Hove Albion
Brentford 2-1 Liverpool
Sunday October 26
Bournemouth 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Aston Villa 1-0 Manchester City
Wolves 2-3 Burnley
Everton vs. Tottenham
