This was the first chance for Manchester City players to post an on-field riposte to the Premier League charges and they did not disappoint.
A three-goal, opening-half blitz put Aston Villa away via their particular brand of shock and awe that has been missing since the September-October period when 24 goals and six wins in a row were reeled off. One blot on the landscape – and for their game at Arsenal on Wednesday – was a possible injury to Erling Haaland, which meant he was taken off at half-time.
