By beating Aston Villa (3-1), Manchester City got closer to leaders Arsenal before Wednesday's clash.
With three goals in the first half, Manchester City easily defeated the Birmingham club, although Erling Haaland had to come off at the break.
With 48 points, the defending champion is within reach of the Gunners (51), who they visit in three days, even if the Londoners have one game less on the clock.
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After several wasted opportunities to put pressure on, including a defeat against Tottenham last week (1-0), Pep Guardiola's men this time took the match by the right end, opening the scoring in the 4th minute by Rodri, on corner.
Usually a scorer, Haaland turned into a decisive passer for Ilkay Gündogan on the 2-0 (39th) before leaving with more or less good grace a penalty to Riyad Mahrez in additional time of the first act (3-0, 45 +1).
Treated to the break, the Norwegian did not return to play afterwards, but with a game that seemed folded and 72 hours from another that could be a major turning point in the season, it looks more like precaution than a real cause for concern.
Despite a reduction in Ollie Watkins' score on the hour mark, City then mastered to preserve themselves ahead of a string of crucial domestic and continental fixtures.
Victim of an arbitration error recognized by the English authorities (the equalizer of Brentford (1-1), Saturday, should have been canceled by the VAR for offside), Arsenal will have to show character.
The Londoners will also have to react after three games without a win, including a defeat (1-0) precisely against City in the FA Cup.
