Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood fumed at the match officials in the aftermath of their late 3-2 defeat at Manchester City.

Fernandinho netted an 89th minute winner for City, but Sherwood felt his side should have had the opportunity to take the lead themselves just moments before.

Christian Benteke was put through on goal by Charles N'Zogbia, and the Belgian was felled by England goalkeeper Joe Hart, in what looked a certain penalty and a red card for the City stopper.

However, he was flagged offside, and the Blues sealed the three points shortly afterwards.

Sherwood told the BBC: "I thought we controlled the game and there were lots of positives, but no points to take from it.

"I could see from where I was that Christian Benteke was onside and I think it was a penalty and a red card for Joe Hart.

In pictures: Manchester City 3-2 Aston Villa

"After a poor start, the team continued to believe we could play through midfield. I was satisfied with the performance but I can't be satisfied with the decisions that cost us points here.

"I thought that we outplayed them. You think we can get relegated playing like that? You are having a laugh aren't you?"

City boss Manuel Pellegrini admitted his side didn't play as he would have liked, but assessed the result to be more important than their display, as they moved back up to second.

He said: "Today we didn't play as well, but we had the spirit and fight to win in the last five minutes despite their late equaliser.

"The results are always more important than the performances, but I think that we normally play well, today we showed the spirit and the belief that perhaps we have not had in other games when we have had more possession.

Christian Benteke goes through on goal against Joe Hart however is later adjudged to have been offside
Talking point: Benteke was flagged offside when he was brought down by Hart

"I was not satisfied with the way we played today, but sometimes you need different things to win games."

On the late offside decision against Benteke, he added: "I think that we had two offside ourselves that were wrong."

Sergio Aguero had given City the lead early in the game after a mistake from Brad Guzan in the Villa goal, before Aleksandar Kolarov doubled their advantage with a free kick.

Tom Cleverley pulled one back from 20 yards, then Carlos Sanchez equalised with a hooked volley, before Fernandinho broke the hearts of the travelling support from the Midlands.

The result leaves Villa 15th, two points clear of the relegation zone.

Manuel Pellegrini celebrates after his side score their third goal
Satisfied: Pellegrini was happy with the result, if not the performance

David McDonnell's player ratings

Manchester City

Hart 7; Zabaleta 7, Demichelis 7, Mangala 6, Kolarov 6; Toure 6 (Fernandinho 45, 6), Fernando 6; Navas 6, Lampard 5 (Milner 56, 6) , Silva 6; Aguero 8 (Bony 82, 6)

Subs not used: Caballero, Sagna, Boyata, Dzeko

Aston Villa

Guzan 4; Bacuna 6, Okore 6, Vlaar 6, Richardson 6; Cleverly 5, Sanchez 6, Delph 7, Westwood 6 (N’Zogbia 65, 6), Grealish 6; Benteke 6

Subs not used : Given, Weiman, Cole, Sanderos, Cissokho, Lowton