Villa settled Maximiliano Moralez’s chip pass at the top of the box and maneuvered to his right around goalkeeper Matt Lampson for the finish.
Nemanja Nikolic gave the Fire the lead in the 20th minute, pouncing on NYCFC’s Moralez defensive miscue. Moralez dribbled backward into the 6-yard box and, when he lost control, Nikolic buried it for his 21st goal of the season.
City (16-8-8) stayed in second place in the Eastern Conference but was the last team eliminated from the Supporters’ Shield race with Toronto FC clinching on Saturday. The Fire (15-10-7) remained in fourth.
Bastian Schweinsteiger made his first appearance for Chicago since Sept. 2, entering as a substitute in the 71st minute.
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