Manchester City’s struggles continued at Villa Park as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against a well-drilled Aston Villa side. Unlike last season’s surprise loss at the same venue, this defeat felt less surprising and more inevitable. Villa was superior in all aspects—faster, more physical, and tactically astute.
Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers, Villa’s scorers, showcased both technical brilliance and the physical edge City currently lack. Early signs of City’s vulnerability emerged seconds into the match when John McGinn dispossessed Josko Gvardiol. In the second half, Duran almost replicated the feat against Stefan Ortega, encapsulating a performance where Villa dominated the reigning champions.
City’s defensive frailties and sluggish build-up play have become recurring issues, with the absence of Rodri no longer a sufficient explanation. The team has scored just 10 goals in their last nine league games—a startling statistic for a side boasting Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker, who has just two goals in eight league appearances, admitted, “I have to do better because it is not good enough.” However, Pep Guardiola defended him, noting, “Without him, we would be even worse.”
The root cause lies deeper than Haaland’s form. His opportunities have diminished compared to last season, with his expected goals per 90 minutes dropping from 1.03 to 0.78. City’s attack has become overly reliant on feeding Haaland, with their wingers contributing fewer goals. The departure of prolific wingers like Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling has left gaps that Jack Grealish and Savinho have struggled to fill.
Villa exposed City’s predictability, sitting back and thwarting their side-to-side passing. Meanwhile, City lacked off-the-ball movement and incisiveness, with players like Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva appearing fatigued. Guardiola acknowledged the need for solutions, stating, “I have to find the balance to create chances.”
City’s expected-goals metrics underscore a systemic issue: the creativity and defensive solidity that defined their dominance are waning. With key players aging and replacements yet to deliver, Guardiola faces the daunting challenge of reinvigorating his squad to maintain their status as Premier League heavyweights.
