Man City close in on Arsenal after outclassing Villa  

A 3-1 win over outclassed Villa featured first half goals from Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez and was the perfect response to a controversial week in which they were charged with financial fair play violations.

BIG WEEK INCOMING: Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez (centre) celebrates. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

MAN CITY 3 ASTON VILLA 1 

Manchester City responded in predictable fashion to their latest scandal against Aston Villa, as Pep Guardiola led his side to the brink of top spot in the Premier League.