Villa's Bailey strike dents City's title hopes

Leon Bailey's deflected strike earned Aston Villa a deserved 1-0 win over Manchester City at Villa Park that lifted them above the reigning champions into third.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says securing a top-four finish in the Premier League remains the priority but there is no way it will distract his team from the club's first European final in 25 years.

Bailey struck in the 74th minute as Villa claimed their first league win over City since 2013 and handed the champions a third defeat in four matches.

The result leaves City needing to beat Arsenal in their rearranged game in hand to move back above the Gunners at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, Villa leapfrogged City and back into the top four, although Tottenham have the chance to move above them when they face Wolves on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.

City, who had seen Erling Haaland denied by Emiliano Martinez in the first half, dominated possession but failed to truly trouble the Villa goalkeeper in the second period.