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Manchester City succumbed to their sixth Premier League defeat of the 2024-25 season as Aston Villa beat them 2-1 at Villa Park on Saturday, December 21. Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers struck apiece to down the holders, whose title defense took another massive blow.
Coming into the fixture on the back of just one win from their last 11 games in all competitions, the Cityzens were visibly at a low ebb. Villa sought to pile more misery and struck the first blow through Duran, who latched onto a pass from Rogers and clinically finished it beyond Stefan Ortega.
The home side then consolidated their hold on the game when Rogers came back to haunt City again, this time firing a left-footed effort after John McGinn brilliantly picked him out.
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With 25 minutes remaining on the clock, City didn't have much time to mount a comeback, but honestly, they never really seemed up for it either. Phil Foden pulled a consolation strike in the 93rd minute but it was too little too late.
Pep Guardiola's band of busted flushes crashed to another loss, their sixth of the top-flight campaign, and now languish nine points behind leaders Liverpool, who also have two games in hand over them. Perhaps, City have already kissed the title goodbye? Here are the player ratings:
Manchester City Player Ratings:
Stefan Ortega - 6
Not the most inspiring presence in goal by Ortega, who was beaten by two absolutely fine strikes on the day. How the City custodian wishes his defense was a bit more resolute.
Rico Lewis - 7
Back from suspension, Lewis was reinstated at the right-back slot and stepped up to the occasion. He registered three clearances and one interception, while also winning three of his five ground duels.
Manuel Akanji - 6.5
The Swiss international made some crucial interventions, such as tracking back Amadou Onana when he threatened to break free, or poking away a cross from McGinn when the hosts produced a breathtaking counter.
John Stones - 6.5
His first start since November and Stones inexplicably got subbed off at half-time. The Englishman looked decent for the most part, completing 100 percent of his passes and all six of his long balls. But defensively, he didn't register a single clearance or block or an interception. The City faithful will hope the centre-back isn't injured again.
Josko Gvardiol - 6
The Villans gave him a hard time on the left, so much so that it threatened to get the better of him late on when Gvardiol lunged into a mistimed tackle on John McGinn that earned himself a yellow.
Ilkay Gundogan - 5
Gundogan was barely visible for most of the time, completing a meager 17 passes in 73 minutes of action. Like many players around him, the German too was well below his best yet again.
Mateo Kovacic - 6.5
Some good passing from Kovacic, although his influence overall was minimal. He attempted one long-range effort but that was straight at Martinez, while the former Real Madrid star was made to look like a training cone by Rogers in the build-up to Villa's second goal.
Bernardo Silva - 6
The Portuguese ace was sloppy in possession and struggled to win his duels too. He failed to make a single shot in the game too. Not the best way to mark your 250th appearance in the Premier League.
Phil Foden - 8
Foden always sought to make something happen. He even forced a fine save out of Emiliano Martinez in the 10th minute but was able to break his duck on the goalscoring front with a consolation strike in stoppage time.
Jack Grealish - 7.5
A bright spark in the attack for the fallen champions, as Grealish offered the urgency, creativity, and menace that shackled Villa's defense. He registered four crosses and two key passes, while also mustering a handful of shots.
Erling Haaland - 5
As he's been in recent weeks, Haaland was underwhelming once again. That flair and panache were sorely lacking, exemplified by the fact that the Norwegian wonder boy failed to muster a single effort in the game. No crosses or key passes either.
Substitutes
Kyle Walker - 6
He looked nervous for the most part as the game's intensity seemed to get to his nerves.
Savinho - 6.5
The Brazilian made one key pass in the match.
Jeremy Doku - N/A
Doku came on to garner a few minutes under his belt although the match was done and dusted by then.
