Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City endured yet another setback as their recent slump continued with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park.
The loss marks a rare string of poor form for the reigning Premier League champions, with Aston Villa capitalizing to claim all three points in a tightly contested affair.
Villa wasted no time imposing themselves on the game, with Jhon Durán opening the scoring in the 16th minute.
Durán latched onto a pinpoint pass from the lively Marcus Rogers to coolly slot the ball past Ederson, sending the home crowd into raptures.
The early goal set the tone for Villa, who maintained their intensity throughout the match.
The second half saw Villa extend their lead in the 65th minute as Marcus Rogers turned from provider to scorer.
A precise through ball from John McGinn allowed Rogers to fire home a clinical finish, leaving Guardiola’s side with a mountain to climb.
Manchester City, known for their resilience, struggled to break down a disciplined Villa defence.
Their persistent efforts only bore fruit deep into stoppage time when Phil Foden struck in the 90+3 minute. The late goal offered a glimmer of hope, but it was too little, too late for City.
Aston Villa’s victory is a testament to their growing confidence under Unai Emery, while Manchester City faces mounting questions about their current form.
Guardiola, who is rarely accustomed to losing streaks, will be under pressure to turn things around as the season progresses.
The result leaves Villa firmly in the hunt for European qualification, while City’s recent struggles cast more doubt on their title defence ambitions.
As the final whistle blew, it was clear that Villa Park had witnessed a defining moment in both teams’ campaigns.
