Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City: Unai Emery’s side were dominant and inflicted a ninth defeat in 12 games for Pep Guardiola
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Manchester City’s miserable run of form continued as Aston Villa leapfrogged Pep Guardiola’s side into fifth with a deserved victory over the faltering Premier League champions.
Goals from Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers, who struck against his former club, condemned City to a third defeat in a row and ninth loss in their last 12 games in all competitions.
City were out-run by Unai Emery’s side, who rediscovered their form with a stirring performance in front of their home fans. It was a day to forget for Jack Grealish, City’s brightest player on his return to Villa Park, who was booed throughout another lackluster performance from Guardiola’s team.
Villa started brightly and Duran had the chance to open the scoring after just 15 seconds. The striker converted his second opportunity to finish a flowing move on 15 minutes, instigated by a brilliant Youri Tielemans pass. Dominant after half-time, Rogers wrapped up victory on the hour.
City had no response, with Erling Haaland anonymous and Kevin De Bruyne remaining on the bench throughout as an unused substitute. Phil Foden pulled one back with seconds left, but it was too little too late as City drop to sixth in the table, with Villa climbing into fifth. Follow all the reaction in our live blog below.
Aston Villa v Man City LIVE
Obviously, the continued decline of Manchester City, who were untouchable last season, will dominate the reaction here.
But Villa were excellent and looked like the side who finished fourth last season. Unai Emery’s side have struggled at times over the last couple of months, but a week off really helped and the hosts completely dominated City with an intense, energetic performance.
As Tielemans said, it’s about being consistent now. Emery has also found the formula with Kamara and Onana in midfield and Duran in-form and firing up front.
The run continues. Or gets even worse? As Richard Jolly points out, Man City have lost games with ok performances. Not today. They were awful.
Manchester City’s run of results, NINE losses in 12 games
L 1-2 vs Tottenham (A)Carabao Cup
L 1-2 vs Bournemouth (A)Premier League
L 1-4 vs Sporting (A)Champions League
L 1-2 vs Brighton (A)Premier League
L 0-4 vs Tottenham (H)Premier League
D 3-3 vs Feyenoord (H)Champions League
L 0-2 vs Liverpool (A)Premier League
W 3-0 vs Nottingham Forest (H)Premier League
D 2-2 vs Crystal Palace (A)Premier League
L 0-2 vs Juventus (A)Champions League
L 1-2 vs Manchester United (H)Premier League
L 1-2 vs Aston Villa (A)Premier League
Youri Tielemans has earned his Christmas Day. Brilliant performance.
“Really good, we fought together, defended together and made the right choices in attack. It was a good performance.
“For me, going forward it helped knowing I had them Onana and Kamara behind me. I knew I had space behind their midfielders.
“It’s always difficult against Man City. We know they haven’t won as much but they are a class side. It’s credit to us because we showed character.
“The league is wide open. That’s why we love football. This season is tough physically, mentally, but the quality is high. We have to be consistent.”
Phil Foden's belated first league goal of the season has given the scoreline a flattering sheen for City. That was a pretty comprehensive defeat. Guardiola believes they have played well in some of their losses. Not today. Duran, Watkins and Tielemans were all terrific for Villa, putting their own recent stumbles behind them. For City, Foden apart, their best player may have been their goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega.
And that’s it!
Villa just had to keep the ball. Instead, they concede a free-kick and City have the chance to fling it forward.
Foden’s cross is caught by Martinez.
Oh! Phil Foden has pulled one back with a minute to play. It’s his first of the season. Sharp move from City as Silva slips Foden through. The finish is clinical into the corner.
Too little too late? Just seconds left...
90+2 mins: Youri Tielemans is named man of the match. The Belgian has put in one of the performances of the season in midfield. Sensational throughout.
90 mins: Morgan Rogers gets a standing ovation as he is replaced. A goal and an assist for the 22-year-old today.
We’re into four minutes added on.
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