A brilliant one-way performance led Aston Villa to a 2-1 Premier League victory against Manchester City, whose woes continue with just one win in their last 12 games, in which they have suffered more defeats than in their previous 107 meetings .
After a roaring start to the season, both teams suffered setbacks and this match gave them the opportunity to reignite their season.
It was Villa who immediately looked the most likely to turn their form around – the Villans started lively. Jhon Duran found himself on target after Josko Gvardiol missed a pass, but the striker panicked and his attempt was saved by Stefan Ortega.
From the resulting corner, the goalkeeper made an outstanding save against the crossbar, beautifully denying Pau Torres' header.
However, City did not heed these warnings and Unai Emery's men opened the scoring in the 16th minute. Morgan Rogers cuts through the heart of City's defense and squares the ball for Duran, who slots the ball past a helpless Ortega.
After falling behind, Pep Guardiola's men regained control of the game by dominating possession, with ex-Villa player Jack Grealish seeing plenty of the ball, but as in recent weeks City were unable to convert their dominance in scoring opportunities.
Gvardiol had an opportunity before the break but his header went over after being set up by Grealish.
The start of the second half was very similar to the first, with Villa coming out of the blocks better and having a flurry of chances in the opening moments. First Matty Cash fires into the net following a quick counterattack, then Duran rushes forward and beats Ortega, but has the goal disallowed for offside.
The home team were in total control and City fell asleep on the hour mark when Rogers created space in the area and grazed the post.
Guardiola's men failed to get going in the second half and Villa deservedly doubled their lead in the 65th minute after Rogers broke into City's half, combining with John McGinn before sliding the ball into the far corner.
Apart from a long-range attempt by Phil Foden, the away team failed to trouble Emiliano Martínez. In contrast, Villa came close to scoring a third, but Ollie Watkins had his shot saved at the near post by Ortega.
Foden eventually closed the gap in injury time – his first goal of the season – but it was only a consolation. Emery's men took the three points against the reigning champions, whose defense looks worse and worse with each passing week.
The second win in 18 matches propels Villa above City in the table to fifth place, with the Villans unbeaten in eight league games at home since their opening defeat to Arsenal.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Click here to see all the match statistics.
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