Manchester City’s struggles deepened as they suffered another setback with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Goals from Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers secured a vital win for Villa, while Phil Foden’s injury-time strike offered little consolation for the defending champions.
City’s slump has seen them drop to sixth place in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool by nine points despite having played two more matches. Meanwhile, Villa climbed above City into fifth, keeping their top-four aspirations alive.
Pep Guardiola’s side has now lost nine of their last 12 games in all competitions and is winless in their past eight away matches. Despite making six changes following last week’s Manchester derby defeat, City delivered another lackluster display.
Villa, who entered the match with just three wins from their previous 11 Premier League games, capitalized on City’s defensive frailties to earn a much-needed victory. Emi Martinez was rarely troubled, although he made a key first-half save from Foden, while Villa’s attack repeatedly exploited gaps in City’s backline.
The tone was set early, with City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega—filling in for the injured Ederson—forced into action within the opening seconds. Ortega denied Pau Torres with a brilliant save to tip a header onto the bar and also thwarted Duran after a costly mistake by Josko Gvardiol.
Villa’s breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Youri Tielemans split City’s defense with a superb through-ball to Rogers, who unselfishly squared for Duran to slot past Ortega.
City’s response was muted, and Villa doubled their lead in the 65th minute when Rogers—who previously spent two years at City without making a senior appearance—fired a low shot into the corner. Foden’s late goal proved too little, too late as City’s downward spiral continues.