Manchester City’s Woes Deepen with Ninth Loss in 12 Games
Manchester City’s struggles showed no sign of easing as they fell 2-1 to Aston Villa, marking their ninth defeat in 12 matches.
The Premier League champions once again delivered a lackluster performance, leaving them sixth in the table and raising serious concerns about their form.
City nearly conceded within the opening minute, setting the tone for a difficult evening. John Stones’ early mistake led to Villa’s opener, and his substitution at halftime due to injury added to City’s troubles.
Struggling to build any attacking momentum, they fell further behind when former City academy player Morgan Rogers scored Villa’s second goal. Phil Foden’s late consolation strike provided little solace for Guardiola’s side.
Individual errors and a lack of cohesion plagued City’s performance. Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega (7) was a rare positive, making crucial saves to keep the scoreline respectable.
However, Lewis (4) and Stones (4) struggled defensively, with the latter’s costly error and injury compounding the team’s issues.
Akanji (4) and Gvardiol (4) failed to provide stability at the back, while Kovacic (5) made a limited impact in connecting defense and attack. Gundogan (4) and Silva (4) were ineffective in midfield, offering little creativity or control.
In attack, Foden (5) managed a late goal but struggled to connect with his teammates, while Haaland (5) was again isolated due to a lack of service.
Grealish (6) showed glimpses of intent but couldn’t influence the result. Substitutes Walker (5), Savinho (6), and Doku failed to make a significant difference.
With City’s form in freefall, Pep Guardiola faces the tough task of reigniting his team’s fortunes.
The champions’ lack of cohesion and underwhelming individual performances suggest a deeper crisis that demands urgent solutions.
