Pep Guardiola might need to ask for a Royal pardon after breaking Aston Villa hearts to make it three Carabao Cup wins in a row.
Villa fan Prince William gave Dean Smith's side a pre-match pep talk but it just wasn't quite enough. Goals from Sergio Aguero and Rodri ended up proving enough for Manchester City but my, oh my, how they had to scrap for it.
There was no shortage of people who gave Villa no chance and were predicting they might take a right hammering. It's not hard to see why – it's only six weeks ago that City thrashed them 6-1 at Villa Park with Aguero helping himself to a hat-trick.
But Dean Smith's men emerged bruised but not battered as they trudged off to rapturous applause from their own fans. They'd given all they
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