Matheus Nunes and Jeremy Doku were Manchester City’s heroes in their 2-1 win against Aston Villa as the pair linked up for the hosts’ 94th minute-winner at the Etihad Stadium.
Nunes and Doku deserve all the praise in the world for coming up clutch as Manchester City perhaps needed a win to solidify their chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season.
Considering City managed to dominate proceedings, Pep Guardiola would have been frustrated had the hosts not done the job on Tuesday night.
But one man who deserved plenty of credit for being Manchester City’s unsung hero against Aston Villa is none other than Bernardo Silva.
Bernardo Silva was Man City’s best player vs Aston Villa
Just recently, Bernardo Silva discussed Manchester City’s ageing squad and bluntly shut down any theories about that being a reason behind their decline — with his all-action showing against Aston Villa being a statement display.
It seemed like Bernardo of old was strutting across the turf against Aston Villa as he ran the show in central midfield, which remains his best position instead of when he is tasked to play on the right-wing.
Bernardo, who cost Manchester City £43 million controlled proceedings, retaining the ball in the first phase of the turf to absolute perfection and deeming Villa’s press futile as they tried to regain possession by hounding him up the pitch.
When both line-ups were named, City fans would have feared how their ageing midfield would fare against Aston Villa, as Unai Emery named sprightly athletes like Morgan Rogers, Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara in his side.
But the manner in which Bernardo helped Manchester City boss possession against Aston Villa and protect the ball with his deceptive strength and sublime technical ability was a sight to behold.
Furthermore, the Portuguese international, who has often been too safe with his passing this season was much more expansive than usual as he sought to pick out the likes of Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly in acres of space time and again.
Out of possession as well, the six-time Premier League winner won duels for fun as he rolled back the years to a time where he would get about the pitch and regain the ball in no time.
Pep Guardiola lauded Bernardo after the contest as he even made an uncharacteristic late run into the box to score the opener against Aston Villa in what was the 30-year-old’s best performance in a Manchester City shirt this season.
Bernardo Silva stats vs Aston Villa
The former Benfica maestro’s future at the club remains unclear, with Manchester City apparently telling Bernardo to leave.
However, the decorated technician’s display against the Villans might force them to rethink their decision.
The stats suggest just how excellent Bernardo was against Aston Villa and why he was Manchester City’s most influential player for much of the clash.
| BERNARDO SILVA STATS VS ASTON VILLA | |
| GOALS | 1 |
| CHANCES CREATED | 2 |
| PASSES INTO THE FINAL THIRD | 5 |
| DUELS WON | 3 |
| RECOVERIES | 5 |
| CLEARANCES | 2 |
In possession, the versatile attacker scored a goal, created two chances and even made five passes into the final third.
While off the ball, Bernardo won three duels, two clearances and five recoveries.
All in all, the Manchester City legend was terrific against Aston Villa and if there were any doubts about whether he should start against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-final, they perhaps no longer exist in Pep Guardiola’s decision-making.
