Manchester City boosted their chances of a top-four finish in the Premier League on Saturday with a thrilling 3-2 win over Aston Villa.

The champions looked in control with 25 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Sergio Aguero and Aleksandar Kolarov, but Villa fought back as Tom Cleverley and Carlos Sanchez made it 2-2 late on.

However, City made sure of the three points two minutes from time when Fernandinho popped up in the box to smash the ball past Brad Guzan.

Here, Sports Mole rates the individual performances of those involved on an entertaining evening at the Etihad Stadium.

MAN CITY

Goal

Joe Hart: Had a solid afternoon between the sticks, though his error led to Villa getting their equaliser. (6/10)

Defence

Pablo Zabaleta: A typical display from the Argentine, who showed plenty of energy to get up and down the right flank. (7/10)

Martin Demichelis: Not the most convincing performance, though we have come to expect that now. Was guilty of one or two questionable decisions at the back. (6/10)

Eliaquim Mangala: Similar to Demichelis, Mangala failed to impress. Struggled to contain Christian Benteke, who troubled City's defence all game. (6/10)

Aleksandar Kolarov: Offered his teammates a good attacking outlet down the left and capped a decent 90 minutes with a fine free kick. (7/10)

Midfield

Yaya Toure: Did little to suggest that his dip in form is about to come to an end during the first half. Was brought off at half time after suffering a knock. (5/10)

Fernando: Did a mediocre job of anchoring City's midfield when they needed more protection at the back. (5/10)

Jesus Navas: Troubled the Villa defence with his pace and skill. Deserved to have at least one of his crosses converted. (7/10)

Frank Lampard: Looked lively early on, but his influence waned before he was subbed with just over half an hour left to play. (6/10)

David Silva: An inconsistent showing from the Spaniard. Only came alive in fits and starts as City struggled to get going overall. (6/10)

Attack

Sergio Aguero: Was gifted the game's opening goal, but did little after that. Was starved of service up front. (6/10)

Substitutes

Fernandinho: Added a bit more graft in City's midfield when he replaced Yaya Toure at half time. (6/10)

James Milner: Worked hard for the cause during the final half an hour against his former club. (6/10)

Wilfried Bony: Did not make an impact on the game when he entered the action with a few minutes left. (5/10)

ASTON VILLA

Goal

Brad Guzan: Made a dreadful error to gift City their first goal and looked nervy after that, though he eventually regained his composure by the end of the match. (6/10)

Defence

Leandro Bacuna: A physical performance from the full-back, who roughed up the opposition with his robust tackling. (7/10)

Ron Vlaar: Defended solidly for the most part. However, Vlaar will be as disappointed as anyone over the manner of the winning goal. (6/10)

Jores Okore: Worked well with his defensive colleagues as the visitors stifled the champions going forward. (6/10)

Kieran Richardson: Was the most attack-minded of Villa's defenders, putting in some good crosses from the left and running tirelessly throughout. (7/10)

Midfield

Tom Cleverley: Played a key part in Villa's midfield with his steady passing and good movement. Took his goal really well, hammering the ball home through a crowded penalty area. (7/10)

Ashley Westwood: Kept his defence protected and allowed his other teammates to push forward, particularly in the second half. (6/10)

Jack Grealish: This was not the same kind of headline-grabbing performance as he put in during the FA Cup semi-finals, but Grealish looked busy throughout. (7/10)

Carlos Sanchez: Provided the visitors with plenty of mettle in central areas. Showed superb technique to make it 2-2 in the final few minutes, though it was not to be for the away side. (7/10)

Fabian Delph: Kept fighting to the end. Never gave up on anything and bullied City's midfielders more than once. (7/10)

Attack

Christian Benteke: Was a handful all evening for the Manchester City defence, who could hardly contain him. Some better finishing and he could have found himself on the scoresheet. (8/10)

Substitutes

Charles N'Zogbia: Made a positive impact when he came off the bench for the final 25 minutes. His pace and direct running worried the hosts no end. (7/10)

Matthew Lowton: Entered the action with a handful of minutes left and failed to add anything to his side's cause. (5/10)