Erling Haaland was anonymous in attack and Ilkay Gundogan was tortured in midfield in a third defeat in a row for the flailing champions
Manchester City's freefalling continued with a limp 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, signalling a third consecutive defeat in all competitions. Villa, who beat City at home last season in just one of three league defeats for Pep Guardiola's side, were utterly dominant from the off and could have scored within the first minute when Jhon Duran was thwarted by Stefan Ortega. The German goalkeeper then clawed a Pau Torres header from the line which was an inch from creeping over.
Villa eventually got the goal they deserved when Duran accepted a gift from former City academy player Morgan Rogers, who had been released by a sublime pass from the wonderful Youri Tielemans. City could barely respond and had just two chances in the first half and conceded a second early in the second when Duran netted again, only to be ruled offside. Villa bided their time and eventually struck again through Rogers after the England international had waltzed his way through an all-too generous City midfield.
Phil Foden struck in the 93rd minute but it was too little, too late for City, who dropped to sixth in the Premier League table and are nine points behind leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand.
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