Manchester City’s turbulent season continued on December 21, 2024, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Pep Guardiola’s side, known for their dominance in the Premier League in recent years, now faces its most challenging period under the Spanish manager, with six losses in their last eight league matches.
Villa took control early when Jhon Duran scored, giving the home side a confidence boost. In the second half, Morgan Rogers extended Villa’s lead in the 65th minute, leaving City scrambling to recover. Although Phil Foden scored a late goal during stoppage time, it wasn’t enough to alter the outcome. Aston Villa’s victory elevated them to fifth place, overtaking City in the league standings.
Guardiola, known for his tactical brilliance, remains hopeful despite this slump. Speaking to TNT Sports, he said, “Step by step, we have nice personalities in the team and sooner or later we are going to find it.” He also acknowledged the strength of Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, praising their defensive resilience.
The defeat highlighted Manchester City’s struggles, with star striker Erling Haaland scoring just once in his last six matches. Haaland admitted his disappointment, stating, “I haven’t been good enough… I have to do better.” Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence in Guardiola’s ability to lead a turnaround, saying, “He will find the solutions. We still believe in him.”
