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Played
October 18, 2011 7:45 PM BST
Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Referee: P. Kralovec
Attendance: 43326
October 18, 2011 7:45 PM BST
Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Referee: P. Kralovec
Attendance: 43326
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| Manchester City | 1.33 | 5.20 | 1.35 | 6.50 | 1.33 | 1.30 | 5.50 | 1.35 | 1.30 |
| Draw | 5.00 | 1.15 | 4.60 | 1.17 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 1.15 | 5.00 | 5.25 |
| Villarreal | 10.00 | 17.00 | 9.00 | 19.00 | 9.50 | 9.50 | 16.00 | 11.00 | 9.00 |
Top of the Match
Diego López Rodríguez
Villarreal
Villarreal
Aleksandar Kolarov
Manchester City FC
Manchester City FC
Flop of the Match
Adam Johnson
Manchester City FC
Manchester City FC
Carlos Marchena
Villarreal
Villarreal
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Manchester City 2-1 Villarreal: Sergio Aguero salvages victory with goal deep in stoppage time as Mancini's men come from behind
A shock goal in the fourth minute put Roberto Mancini's men on the back foot but the Argentine came off the bench to sneak a winner in the dying seconds of the Group A clash
By George Ankers
Getty Images
Sergio Aguero sealed Manchester City's first win in Champions League Group A with the final action of the match as the English side came from behind to record a 2-1 victory over Villarreal.
Cani had shocked the hosts by striking in the fourth minute, but a Carlos Marchena own goal just before half-time restored parity, before substitute Aguero struck the winner from close range.
Roberto Mancini kept the former Atletico Madrid striker on the bench, with the Argentine having only just recovered from a groin injury. Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov came into in the full-back positions with Micah Richards and Gael Clichy settling for being among the substitutes.
City, needing a win, saw their plans go awry right from the start. Sloppy defending from the home side saw David Silva lose possession and Nigel de Jong offer limp resistance when the visitors pounced. Rossi’s shot was hit at Joe Hart but the keeper spilled it, allowing Cani to slot in an easy opener, as the Etihad Stadium fell silent.
The home side looked somewhat nervy after the shock start but sought an equaliser, with Kolarov curling a shot just wide from range. The Serbian was involved again a minute later when Yaya Toure freed him on the left. His well-worked cross came at an awkward angle for Samir Nasri in the box, though, and the Frenchman volleyed over.
City looked settled but the Spaniards were doing enough to soak up any serious pressure, leading Mancini to make a bold tactical decision and substitute the quiet Adam Johnson after just 40 minutes and introduce Gareth Barry.
Almost instantly the Citizens’ fortune changed, Kolarov overlapping on the left and driving the ball in low across the box. Marchena stretched out to deny Dzeko but succeeded only in diverting into his own net just before half-time.
The second-half continued to be even in possession but the visitors were racking up many more attempts on goal than the side in sky blue as the final quarter of an hour arrived.
City fans thought they had found the elusive second goal when Kolarov smashed another free-kick in but his rocket shot only reached the side netting. Substitute Aguero then supplied Dzeko on the right of the area, but with the ball moving away from the net, he could only lift his effort over.
City strived for a last-gasp winner in injury time, Kolarov's pass creating a scramble in the area that nobody could capitalise on, and Lopez then pulling off an important save from Zabaleta.
But suddenly, in the final seconds, Villarreal were broken. James Milner, fresh from the bench, squeezed a fine reverse pass through to Zabaleta, who crossed low into the box where several sky blue shirts awaited. It was Aguero who slid in to help the ball into the corner and deliver the victory City craved.
The result leaves City in third place at the halfway stage of the group, one point behind Napoli and three behind leaders Bayern Munich.
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Cani had shocked the hosts by striking in the fourth minute, but a Carlos Marchena own goal just before half-time restored parity, before substitute Aguero struck the winner from close range.
Roberto Mancini kept the former Atletico Madrid striker on the bench, with the Argentine having only just recovered from a groin injury. Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov came into in the full-back positions with Micah Richards and Gael Clichy settling for being among the substitutes.
City, needing a win, saw their plans go awry right from the start. Sloppy defending from the home side saw David Silva lose possession and Nigel de Jong offer limp resistance when the visitors pounced. Rossi’s shot was hit at Joe Hart but the keeper spilled it, allowing Cani to slot in an easy opener, as the Etihad Stadium fell silent.
The home side looked somewhat nervy after the shock start but sought an equaliser, with Kolarov curling a shot just wide from range. The Serbian was involved again a minute later when Yaya Toure freed him on the left. His well-worked cross came at an awkward angle for Samir Nasri in the box, though, and the Frenchman volleyed over.
City looked settled but the Spaniards were doing enough to soak up any serious pressure, leading Mancini to make a bold tactical decision and substitute the quiet Adam Johnson after just 40 minutes and introduce Gareth Barry.
Almost instantly the Citizens’ fortune changed, Kolarov overlapping on the left and driving the ball in low across the box. Marchena stretched out to deny Dzeko but succeeded only in diverting into his own net just before half-time.
The second-half continued to be even in possession but the visitors were racking up many more attempts on goal than the side in sky blue as the final quarter of an hour arrived.
City fans thought they had found the elusive second goal when Kolarov smashed another free-kick in but his rocket shot only reached the side netting. Substitute Aguero then supplied Dzeko on the right of the area, but with the ball moving away from the net, he could only lift his effort over.
City strived for a last-gasp winner in injury time, Kolarov's pass creating a scramble in the area that nobody could capitalise on, and Lopez then pulling off an important save from Zabaleta.
But suddenly, in the final seconds, Villarreal were broken. James Milner, fresh from the bench, squeezed a fine reverse pass through to Zabaleta, who crossed low into the box where several sky blue shirts awaited. It was Aguero who slid in to help the ball into the corner and deliver the victory City craved.
The result leaves City in third place at the halfway stage of the group, one point behind Napoli and three behind leaders Bayern Munich.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match- Fans' Flop of the Match
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
14 | 4 |
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Mario Gomez
Striker Bayern |
13 | 0 |
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Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
10 | 2 |
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Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
7 | 0 |
|
Didier Drogba
Striker Chelsea |
6 | 0 |
