Aston Villa pushed Manchester City all the way before falling to two late goals in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
Superb defensive work for 79 minutes was undone when Bernardo Silva thrashed a shot past Emiliano Martinez from the edge of the box.
Ilkay Gundogan added gloss to the scoreline with a stoppage-time penalty, but it was harsh on the valiant visitors.
Bertrand Traore and Douglas Luiz came close for Villa, who always looked a threat on the counter-attack at the Etihad.
Villa had conceded only twice in their last six league games, but they were pressed into some last-ditch defending after only three minutes as Martinez denied Silva from point-blank range before Matty Cash cleared from under his own crossbar with John Stones lurking.
The home side were enjoying more of the ball through the first quarter of the game, but they had only tested Martinez once more after their early attack, with Rodrigo sending a tame effort straight at the goalkeeper.
Dean Smith’s side were putting their bodies on the line to keep City at bay, with Tyrone Mings, Matt Targett and Luiz all making crucial blocks to thwart the hosts’ promising build-up play.
At the other end of the pitch, the returning Ross Barkley fired Villa’s first shot on target after 37 minutes, forcing Ederson into a diving stop at his far post.
And just as the visitors were enjoying another foray forward, City turned defence into attack in lightning quick fashion, with Matty Cash eventually coming to the rescue when he blocked Phil Foden’s drive to ensure the sides went in level at half-time.
The second half started in a similar vein to the first, with the home team monopolising possession and probing for an opening against a stubborn backline.
But it was Villa who almost snatched the lead on the counter-attack as Traore skipped past Kevin De Bruyne with an exquisite touch before firing for the far corner, only to see Ederson dive across and make the save.
The close shave sparked City into life, and the Villans were left with the crossbar to thank after Joao Cancelo’s cultured shot had Martinez beaten.
As the game reached 60 minutes, the match kicked up several notches in intensity as both sides attacked with abandon.
Scrambles in both boxes saw Luiz’s volley beaten away before Gundogan failed to sort his feet out when presented with an open goal, allowing Targett to clear.
After 79 minutes of resilience and brave defending, Villa’s resistance was finally broken when Silva thrashed a shot past Martinez from the edge of the box.
A second goal followed in injury time when Cash was penalised for handball, allowing Gundogan to convert from the spot.
Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett (Taylor 75'), McGinn, Luiz, Traore (El Ghazi 68'), Grealish, Barkley (Ramsey 68'), Watkins.
Unused subs: Heaton, Guilbert, Engels, Elmohamady, Nakamba, Davis.
