- Manchester City suffered a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, extending their poor run to just one win in 12 matches
- The City manager praised Foden’s improved performances but admitted the team’s pressing and finishing fell short
- Phil Foden scored his first Premier League goal of the season, netting a late consolation as City dropped to sixth place in the table
Premier League champions Manchester City’s alarming dip in form continued as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa at Villa Park, leaving Pep Guardiola searching for answers.
Despite another disappointing result, Guardiola defended his team’s performance, emphasising glimpses of quality but admitting their struggles to convert opportunities proved costly.
Man City fell behind to first-half goals from Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers, as Unai Emery’s side capitalised on defensive lapses to seize control of the match. Although Phil Foden’s late strike, his first Premier League goal of the season, offered a glimmer of hope, it was too late for the reigning champions.
The defeat dropped City to sixth in the Premier League table, leapfrogged by Aston Villa, who extended their impressive run under Emery. Meanwhile, Guardiola’s side has now registered just one win in their last 12 matches across all competitions, raising concerns about their ability to defend their title.
Guardiola, however, remained defiant in his post-match interview, focusing on the positives despite the setback,
“Today we made a really good game, step by step, we have nice personalities in the team and sooner or later we are going to find it [our rhythm].”
City started impressively, creating several early chances and dominating possession, but defensive frailties and poor pressing in the second half ultimately proved their undoing. Guardiola acknowledged his team’s inconsistencies, adding,
“We had good moments, we had chances, more than against Manchester United, but we dropped in the second half and couldn’t sustain our pressing.”
The Spaniard also praised Foden’s recent resurgence after the midfielder endured an horrible start to the campaign,
“The last one or two games, he has been better, sometimes the next season is not the same. People change and situations change.”
Despite City’s dip in form, Guardiola insisted he would continue to back his players to regain momentum,
“I have to do it, back my players, that is what will be different,” he said.
The result leaves City trailing behind the top four as the busy festive period looms. Guardiola’s men face Everton on Boxing Day, where they will aim to halt their slide and reignite their title charge.
“I don’t believe in the charges,” Arsène Wenger on Manchester City’s trial
Previously, TheRadar reported that the ongoing legal battle involving Manchester City and the Premier League over 115 alleged financial breaches has gripped the football world.
As the charges hearing stretches on, Arsène Wenger has shared his thoughts, calling for a complete overhaul of Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. Wenger argued that the current system in the Premier League is outdated and in dire need of reform.
