Aston Villa claimed a deserved 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Villa Park on Saturday, deepening the champions' woes and marking Manchester City’s ninth defeat in their last twelve matches across all competitions.
Goals from Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers secured the win for Villa, raising questions about Pep Guardiola's side as they continue to struggle this season.
Villa started brightly, with Duran finding the net after just 16 minutes following outstanding play from Youri Tielemans, who delivered a superb pass to Morgan Rogers. Rogers squared it perfectly for Duran, who made no mistake from close range. Duran's strike capitalized on Villa's early pressure, which saw them create several chances before the opening goal.
Despite dominating possession, City struggled to carve out clear chances. The visitors had notable difficulties until the end, with Erling Haaland going largely anonymous throughout the game, failing to register any touches inside Villa's penalty area until it was too late.
Rogers doubled Villa's advantage just past the hour, showcasing his talent and poise as he completed another swift attacking move. Following another build-up involving Tielemans and John McGinn, Rogers fired home, leaving City reeling. According to reports, this marked the first time Rogers scored and assisted during the same game, which added to the significance of his performance against his former club.
City managed to find some consolation when Phil Foden scored during stoppage time, taking advantage of Lucas Digne's slip to slot the ball home. Still, it was too late for the visitors, as Villa's defense had largely kept them at bay throughout the match. Manager Unai Emery noted the shift from both teams, stating, “Progressively, the mentality and confidence was increasing and theirs was going down.”
Manchester City's season is rapidly unraveling, now having lost six of their last eight league games. They currently sit sixth, trailing leaders Liverpool by nine points, with rising concerns of their ability to mount another title challenge without major improvements. The loss prompted Guardiola, known for his tactical prowess, to express pride in his players, noting, “Thanks to some players today, the pride they showed on the pitch again.”
For Villa, the victory solidified their resurgence this season, with Unai Emery’s side now positioned fifth and riding the wave of momentum generated from their last five matches. The team’s resurgence was noted by pundits, with Peter Crouch highlighting their work rate, stating, “They got through so much work. Defensively they knew their jobs... It was so impressive all over the park and they fully deserved the win.”
Villa’s confidence should not be underestimated moving forward. With top performances from key players like Rogers, the team has demonstrated the necessary cohesion to challenge higher up the Premier League table. Their next match against Newcastle presents another opportunity to continue building on their positive momentum.
Jack Grealish's return to Villa Park was particularly poignant, as he faced constant booing from the home fans. The ex-Villa captain experienced the harsh reality of playing against his former team and struggled to make the impact he usually can. Guardiola—unable to make tactical changes due to their poor circumstances—has begun to raise questions about the mindset of his players, particularly the reliance on star forwards like Haaland, who has recently struggled to find the back of the net.
This dramatic match served as another reminder of the unpredictable nature of the Premier League and how quickly fortunes can change. For Villa, the surprise victory encapsulates their potential this season, sparking dreams of European football and possibly more. Aston Villa’s next matches could define their aspirations, whereas City faces the prospect of urgent introspection to turn around their form.
