Last year, Villa Park was even more churning than usual when Manchester City visited. Unai Emery's troops then beat the visitors 1-0. Led by John McGinn, the home team then stunned the billion-dollar team from Manchester, good for their fourteenth home win in a row. The Citizens only shot twice towards goal, a record low under Pep Guardiola. A year later, the Catalan has other – larger – cats to flog. His team lost eight of the last eleven games, and now only one more. It never happened to him before.
In his search for the ideal magic formula, the tactician kept Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku on the bench, a fate that also befell Kyle Walker. At Aston Villa, Amadou Onana kicked off for the first time since his injury at the beginning of November, and Youri Tielemans also got a starting spot.
Youri the genius
After just twenty seconds, Jon Durán had the chance to make it 1-0 after a blunder by Josko Gvardiol, but the Colombian sensation did not unwrap the gift. The corner kick that followed almost scored again, but Stefan Ortega was able to turn just before the goal line. There was certainly a bright start.
At the fifteen minute mark Youri Tielemans chose his moment. Cleverly turning away and then delivering a wonderful deep pass to Morgan Rogers, who then presented Durán with the opening goal. A goal in the name of the attacker, but mainly due to the brilliant inspiration of our compatriot.
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Man City had the ball for the entire first half, but they didn't do much with it. Just like in recent weeks, it looked toothless, Jack Grealish seemed to be the only one who was looking forward to it against his ex-club. He served up a headed chance for Gvardiol, and Phil Foden also had a shot, but he was unable to score before the tea break. With a scuffle between tantrum-kicker Emiliano Martinez and Erling Haaland, both teams entered the locker room. Time to bring in KDB and Doku?
Not yet, thought Guardiola, who was now close to despair. At one point the trainer even seemed to almost cry on the sidelines.
Over and out?
Even after the break, Tielemans continued to show his class. Spinning, cutting out, tricky balls: it was all part of his wide range during his 200th match in the Premier League. With another deep through pass he put Durán on his way to the 2-0, but he had left a little too early.
Aston Villa continued to attack, and City had no answer. In fact, now it was completely unrecognizable and just plain bad. Morgan Rogers first hit the post, but not much later it was a prize. Using strength and finesse, the Brit set up a wonderful attack, and also finished it himself. Books allowed, and KDB was even allowed to sit back down. Was it a minor injury, or is something really broken between him and his choice lord?
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Doku was allowed to come off the bench in the end, but he could no longer make an impression. Foden eased to 2-1 in injury time – only his first goal of the season – but the three points were long gone.
Four out of twenty-four in the Premier League. One win in twelve matches across all competitions. Manchester City is still seriously ill, and the question is gradually emerging whether Pep Guardiola can still be of assistance…
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