LONDON: Liverpool's extraordinary 3-3 draw at Crystal Palace means that Manchester City can close to within touching distance of the Premier League title by beating Aston Villa on Wednesday.

With the top two neck-and-neck on 80 points and with two games to play each, City were braced for a repeat of the 2012 campaign, when they pipped Manchester United to the title on goal difference on the final day.

However, Liverpool's late capitulation at Selhurst Park on Monday, when they let a 3-0 lead slip in the last 11 minutes, means that City now effectively need only four points to regain the title.

Liverpool's midfielder Steven Gerrard (L) reacts behind goal scorer Crystal Palace's striker Dwight Gayle (R) during the English Premier League football match at Selhurst Park in south London on Monday. Pic/AFP