'I am not a machine' - Yaya Toure hits back at critics

The Ivory Coast international scored his first Premier League goal of the season to help see of Aston Villa and feels he has been giving his all for the cause

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has reacted to criticism of his recent performances, and has insisted that he is only a man and not a machine.

The Ivory Coast international again struggled to make an impact for the Blues against Aston Villa before scoring a fine solo effort to break the deadlock in the 82nd minute.

And though Toure admitted he understands that he will be scrutinised, he feels as if he has been performing to the best of his abilities.

"For me, I'm keeping going. I've been playing for top sides in Europe and I knew about this criticism. I just do my best and try to help the team win again," he told Sky Sports.

"It's not so easy because you have to play every three days and people have to understand I'm not a machine; I am a man. But I have to keep going because all my team-mates keeps going around me."

City's 2-0 at Villa Park win saw them move to second-place in the Premier League table behind Chelsea and helped put to bed some of the concerns fans had after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Roma in midweek.

And Toure revealed it had been difficult to bounce back from their European disappointment and secure all three points on the domestic front.

"I think today was a great win because we played against a great team. In the first half it was quite difficult for us but in the second half we did the job. It's a fantastic win.

"After the draw against Roma on Tuesday it was quite difficult for us to come back.

"Full credit to Aston Villa, they played very well in defence but in the second half we did the job."