Aston Villa pulled off a stunning upset, defeating Manchester City 2-1 at Villa Park on Saturday, December 21, 2024, deepening the reigning champions' crisis as they faced their ninth defeat in 12 matches across all competitions. The victory has pushed Villa to fifth place in the Premier League, reinforcing their aspirations for European qualification, whilst City sits just behind them, now sixth.
The stage was set for the hosts to dominate from the start, and they delivered emphatically. Villa's aggressive approach paid off early when Jhon Durán scored the first goal just 16 minutes in. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez initiated the play, passing to Youri Tielemans, who skillfully drew John Stones away from position before playing the ball to Morgan Rogers. Rogers quickly advanced and assisted Durán, who finished decisively for his sixth goal of the season.
Villa continued to press and extended their lead when Rogers scored his own goal 27 minutes after the break, transforming his earlier assist to Durán with another spectacular play. After receiving the ball from John McGinn and driving through City's defense, he struck from close range, putting the home team firmly in control.
Despite City's efforts to mount a comeback, exemplified by Phil Foden’s late goal in stoppage time, their attempts fell short. Guardiola's men, who dominated possession with nearly 60%, failed to convert this advantage effectively, managing only three shots on target throughout the match.
For Villa, the successful strategy showcased their ability to exploit City’s defensive vulnerabilities and highlighted Rogers' remarkable performance. The 22-year-old, who rose through the ranks at City before joining Villa, proved instrumental. After the match, he praised his teammates, saying, “To a man, I thought we were outstanding, and I think we deserved the win.” This sentiment echoed the words of Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, who commended Rogers for his pivotal role both as scorer and facilitator.
Rogers had left City after being sold to Middlesbrough for 10.6 million Rands last year but maintains no ill feelings toward Guardiola. “I owe him greatly for the time he dedicated to me,” he shared, highlighting Guardiola’s efforts to nurture young talent during City’s golden era, which included stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling. The decision to let players like Rogers leave, as Guardiola explained, was based on the abundance of talent at the time, making opportunities scarce.
The match also signals alarming trends for Manchester City, who sit nine points behind league leaders Liverpool. Guardiola's frustration was palpable, as he lamented his team's defensive errors which have plagued their campaign. He acknowledged, “We know we need to improve and overcome the challenges we are facing this season.” This defeat marked City's third consecutive loss, raising urgent questions about their capacity to contend for the title this season.
This result marks only the second time Villa has beaten City at home in consecutive seasons, the first being back during the 1970s. It also signifies Villa's surge, marking their second win over City since the start of this Premier League campaign. The club’s ambitions seem stronger than ever as they eye potential European football for the next season.
With the Premier League's competitive nature and holiday fixtures approaching, Aston Villa's upward momentum could weave them firmly back among the league's elite, especially with the kind of performances seen against established giants like Manchester City.
