Aguero's last-gasp goal gives Man City their first-ever Champions League victory

Now here is an Argentine striker who knows how to come off theManchester City bench in the Champions League and delight manager, team-mates and fans alike. Sergio Agüero rose from the dug-out to breathe life back into City’s Champions League dream just when it seemed close to expiring. It felt a huge moment in City’s season.

After all the grief over Carlos Tévez’s failure to come on at Bayern Munich, Agüero’s impact after arriving as a sub in the 62nd minute was particularly uplifting for Roberto Mancini. City’s manager responded to Agüero’s goal by repeatedly punching the air before embracing his coaching staff. It felt a huge moment for Mancini.

The Italian is a tough character, as Adam Johnson discovered with a brutal tactical substitution six minutes before half-time, but the pressures of his managerial role are immense here. Having taken such a strong stance over Tévez, stating in Munich that he would not pick him again, Mancini needed his forwards to deliver.

Mario Balotelli was suspended. Edin Dzeko was painfully off the pace.

Usual creative inspirations like David Silva found Villarreal too organised, too quick to close down space. Samir Nasri ran into cul de sacs. City’s most creative player was their outstanding left-back, Aleksandar Kolarov. So relief as well as joy was etched on Mancini’s features when Agüero pounced.