Manchester City’s struggles deepened with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, marking their ninth loss in 12 games across all competitions. The reigning Premier League champions, who have been a dominant force in recent years, seem to be in a downward spiral, unable to find the consistency that has characterized their past successes.
The loss leaves Pep Guardiola’s side languishing in sixth place, far from their usual commanding position at the top of the table.
From the outset, it was clear that City were vulnerable, with Villa nearly scoring within the first minute. The pressure mounted when John Stones made a critical mistake early on, gifting Villa their opening goal. To compound matters, Stones was forced off at halftime due to an injury, further weakening City’s defensive structure.
Villa’s second goal came courtesy of Morgan Rogers, a former City academy player, who delivered a composed finish in the second half to double the hosts’ lead. Despite a late push, City’s response was limited to a stoppage-time goal from Phil Foden, which did little to mask another disappointing performance.
The defeat has amplified concerns about City’s form, as the team appears to be in a full-blown crisis. The performance against Villa highlighted several weaknesses, including defensive frailty and a lack of creativity in midfield. Guardiola’s men struggled to maintain their usual control, with errors and missed opportunities proving costly once again.
Player ratings reflected City’s underwhelming display. Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega (7) was one of the few bright spots, making several crucial saves to prevent the scoreline from being more lopsided. Rico Lewis (4), however, had a tough game, frequently overrun by Villa’s attackers. Stones (4) had a nightmare outing before his substitution, while defenders Manuel Akanji (4) and Josko Gvardiol (4) also failed to impress.
In midfield, Mateo Kovacic (5) worked hard to link up play but lacked support. Ilkay Gundogan (4) and Bernardo Silva (4) were largely anonymous, unable to influence the game. Up front, Erling Haaland (5) was again isolated, struggling to make an impact, while Jack Grealish (6) showed glimpses of quality but couldn’t turn the tide.
The substitutes provided little respite. Kyle Walker (5) and Jeremy Doku (5) were subdued, while Savinho (6) offered some energy but couldn’t change the game’s outcome.
As City’s woes continue, questions are mounting about their ability to recover and challenge for silverware this season.
