In December 2023, Villa Park witnessed one of City's only three defeats in the Premier last year. 12 months later, Guardiola has experienced déjà vu and has been completely handcuffed, once again, by Emery and his Aston Villa. A victory (2-1) that, in addition, serves to overtake a Manchester City in the table that, with nine defeats in the last 12 gameskeeps falling into a bottomless pit.
Aston Villa's devilish start was only a warning of what was to come. And, with no time for the fans to sit in their respective seats, Ortega had to appear twice. First to deny Durán a one-on-one and, later, leaning on the wood to get a header from Pau Torres. He once again beat Ederson and had to appear from the first hour to support City.
Once the initial scare was over, Guardiola's men managed to gain possession of the ball to, at least, begin to establish themselves in the rival field. A scenario that was far from repudiated by an Aston Villa specialist in coming out with spaces… who did not forgive again when City became disorganized in the pressure to make it 1-0 at 16'. Tielemans threw to Rogers and, when he faced Ortega, he gave the goal to a Durán who has scored in four consecutive games.
Already ahead on the scoreboard, Emery continued with a plan that Guardiola was unable to counter. And, with a double pivot formed by Kamara and Onana who built a wall of reinforced concrete, City was not able to find a crack through which to sneak through. Only a Foden without confidence put Dibu to the test… although Gvardiol had the clearest chance in stoppage time with a clear header from the heart of the area.
No reaction… no rebellion
Guardiola had no choice but to start looking for solutions and, at half-time, he brought on Walker. A modification that, however, was far from having the desired effect and was freed from Durán's double as soon as the second act began. Villa's superiority began to be such that they snatched possession from a City whose back was being destroyed while chasing shadows across the Villa Park grass.
The feeling of fragility was palpable and, shortly after hitting a ball with the post, Morgan Rogers 'vaccinated' his training team to make it 2-0 in the 65th minute with a play that he himself started from his own field. With this, there are already 27 goals that Manchester City has conceded in this terrifying streak of results that could end with Guardiola's team out of European positions at the end of the day.
It could have been even worse with the shooting of the doll by Watkins who is losing her position and needs to vindicate herself. But, in the first hint of reaction from City in the entire match, Foden took advantage of a slip by Digne to make up the result and, in the process, score his first goal of the Premier League season. The fall continues… and now the 'Boxing Day' marathon arrives.
