Manchester City put a difficult week behind them as they cruised to a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa.The build-up to Sundays meeting at the Etihad Stadium was dominated by news of the Premier League accusing City of breaking over 100 financial regulations between 2009 and 2018.Pep Guardiola, managing his 250th Premier League game, delivered an impa sioned defence of his club and his players performed as they returned to winning ways following their lo s at Tottenham last week.Rodri Joe Mixon Jersey s header, Ilkay Gundogans tap-in and Riyad Mahrezs penalty had City 3-0 up by the break, and though Ollie Watkins pulled one back for Villa, the champions comfortably closed the gap on Arsenal to three points ahead of Wednesdays crunch meeting between the top two. Having jeered the Premier League anthem, Citys fans had something to cheer inside four minutes, when Rodri headed in from Mahrezs corner.Only a fine save from Emiliano Martinez prevented Gundogan Citys hero in the title-clinching comeback in last seasons corresponding fixture making it 2-0.Martinez was fortunate to be awarded a free-kick after a collision with Erling Haaland allowed Gundogan to arrow home.A glut of City chances went begging but their win was still all but ensured by half-time.Gundogan got his goal after brilliant work from Haaland, with Mahrez slamming in from the spot after Jacob Ramsey fouled Grealish.Having replaced Haaland at half-time, Julian Alvarez teed up Citys first second-half opening Martinez denying Rodri a second.Watkins marked his 100th Villa appearance by scoring in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time, capitalising on Manuel Akanjis error.It would prove nothing more than a consolation, with City unfortunate not to restore their three-goal cushion through Alvarez and Mahrez who blasted over from close range late on as they clinched a 13th straight home league win over Villa.What does it mean? Citys siege mentality a scary sign for title rivalsI think Clark Harris Jersey they are going to be together and try to respond on the pitch, Villa head coach Unai Emery said of City ahead of the game. It is going to be very difficult. Its a big challenge for us.That challenge proved too big for the visitors, with City seemingly determined to put on a show and George Iloka Jersey make a statement of intent after the Premier Leagues allegations came to light.City had 17 shots, got nine on target and finished with an expected goals (xG) of 3.59 compared to 0.27 for their opponents and they will move top of the table should they defeat Arsenal on Wednesday.They did offer some chances to Villa in the second half, with Watkins punishing them and Jhon Duran rattling the cro sbar, but City were well worth the three points.Pep brings 250 up in styleGuardiolas 250th league game in charge of City featured some typically scintillating attacking play, and ended in a typically convincing succe s.He has won 184 of those 250 matches (73.6 per cent), with his City side scoring 621 goals in the competition and toppling countle s records.Haaland concernComfortably up at half-time, Guardiola had the luxury of being able to take off Citys star striker, who did appear to be nursing a thigh problem in the first half.City fans will hope it was just a precaution, with their clash with Arsenal just around the corner. Haaland, who was largely frustrated in the defeat at Spurs, was a menace in the first half, with his a sist for Gundogan his 29th Cedric Peerman Jersey direct goal contribution in the top flight this season (11 more than any other player in the league).Haaland was involved in one small flashpoint during his time on the pitch, with Mahrez seemingly taking over penalty duties against the Norway internationals wishes, though the incident was swiftly brushed aside.Key Opta Facts: City have won each of their past 13 Premier League home games against Aston Villa by an aggregate scoreline of 41-7. Villa have suffered back-to-back Premier League lo ses for the first time since Steven Gerrards final two games in charge in October. This was also their first away league defeat under Emery (W3 L1). Guardiola is the 29th manager to reach 250 Premier League games in charge, while his 184 wins are the most of any manager in their first 250 games in the competition (Liverpool bo s Jurgen Klopp is next with 160 wins). Only Manchester Uniteds Marcus Rashford (nine) has been involved in more Premier League goals since the competition restarted following the World Cup break than Riyad Mahrez (eight four goals, four a sists). City midfielder Gundogan has scored five Premier League goals against Aston Villa (all at the Etihad) against no side has he scored more times in the competition.Whats next?City head to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday in what seems set to Clint Boling Jersey be the first truly pivotal clash in this seasons tittle race, while the Gunners are also Villas next opponents on Saturday.