Premier League: Wednesday's matches – in pictures

Manchester City v Aston Villa City fans make their way to the Etihad Stadium as the rain comes down. That could make for a slippy surface Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

He may be charming but will he be successful? Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

Wonder how amusing the Liverpool fans would find this? Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Rather unsurprisingly Manchester City have been encamped in the Villa half for the opening stages, though David Silva and co haven't found a way past the massed ranks of the Villa defence Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

David Silva attempts a fancy backflick shot at the near post … Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters

Villa keeper Brad Guzan is smart to the danger and smothers the ball Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

However with the home crowd getting frustrated, the visitors start to push forward a bit and create a couple of chances. Andreas Weimann galloped forward from his own half with the ball before shooting from distance but the ball flies well wide Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images

Aston Villa's Ryan Bertrand and the Villa back five are doing a sterling job restricting City's chances Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA

The best chance of the half comes during injury time when the ball was worked wide to Pablo Zabaleta, who pinged a cross into the near post. Samir Nasri surged from deep to meet it four yards out ... but banged it wide Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters

It's been a frustrating half for Vincent Kompany and his City team-mates. They've had 75% of the possession but have yet to find a way through the Villa defence. It's goal-less as the teams go in at half-time Photograph: Peter Powell/EPA

Jordan Brewery controls the ball as Villa attempt to find an outlet to relieve the pressure that City continue to pile in the early stages of the second half Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters

The Etihad erupts in the 64th minute when Edin Dzeko gives the home side the lead when he turns the ball in from close after Pablo Zabaleta delivers another low cross from the right Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Eight minutes later Dzeko puts the game to bed when he gets his and City's second. Zabaleta was again the creator, bombing down the right and crossing low, this time for Nasri. Guzan blocked the Frenchman's shot but Dzeko was on hand to roll the rebound into the net from close range Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

In the penultimat minute Yaya Toure did superbly at the edge of the area to work an opening for Stevan Jovetic, who passed the ball into the net from 18 yards and then gets a yellow card for showing off his tattoos when celebrating Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images

During injury time Yaya Toure collected the ball in his own half and then romped past two defenders with a unique blend of power and finesse ... Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images

Before delicately clipping the ball past the out-rushing Guzan and into the net. Job done by City, they top the table by two points so unless Liverpool beat Newcastle by 13 goals, a draw on Sunday against West Ham will be enough to give them the title again. Final score: Manchester City 4-0 Aston Villa Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion Black Cats manager Gus Poyet is allowed a wry smile ahead of kick-off, seeing as Sunderland looked dead and buried when he took over but are now on the brink of securing Premier League survival Photograph: Scott Heppell/AP

Sunderland's Seb Larsson is beaten in the air by West Brom's Stephane Sessegnon Photograph: Scott Heppell/AP

John O'Shea congraulates Jack Colback after he fired Sunderland into the lead with a right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner Photograph: Russell Cheyne/Reuters

Seventeen minutes later Fabio Borini doubled Sunderland's lead when fired into the bottom left corner Photograph: Russell Cheyne/Reuters

He's rather pleased. Sunderland go in 2-0 up at half-time Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Hey Mackems, get ready to tick the last one off Photograph: Scott Heppell/AP

Connor Wickham, left, and Victor Anichebe go aleaping but neither connects to the ball Photograph: Russell Cheyne/Reuters

Jozy Altidore powers through the challenges of Graham Dorrans, left, and Youssuf Mulumbu Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

Stephane Sessegnon surges past goalscorer Jack Colback as the Baggies look for a way back into the game Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Sunderland hold out and take the three points. Gus Poyet and his players celebrate their great escape after the final whistle Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

As do the appreciative Sunderland fans in the stands. Final score: Sunderland 2-0 West Bromwich Albion Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images