David Villa brace denies history-chasing Toronto

David Villa bagged a brace as New York City FC recorded their third successive MLS victory with a 2-0 win away to Toronto this morning.

Having won their last three games to equal a club record from 2008 and 2012, Greg Vanney's Toronto side stood on the brink of history coming into tonight's clash.

However, the Canadian outfit would need to come from behind if they were to register an historic fourth successive win when Villa's penalty gave the visitors the lead after eight minutes.

Nevertheless, the Reds responded well and Sebastian Giovinco, who has played a leading role in Toronto's solid form lately, saw his free kick parried away by Josh Saunders.

Saunders was called into action again minutes later; this time providing a point-blank save to keep out Michael Bradley as City hung on to earn a narrow half-time lead.

Toronto's bid for a fourth win on the trot grew steeper on 58 minutes when Villa tapped home Mehdi Ballouchy's teasing pass for his second of the night.

Saunders's night got better between the sticks when he was forced to deny Eriq Zavaleta's thumping header to cap a frustrating night for the hosts.