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Manchester City slipped to their ninth defeat in 12 games in all competitions against Aston Villa
Manchester City’s calamitous end to 2024 continued as the champions dropped down to sixth in the Premier League table after another damaging defeat away to Aston Villa.
The once imperious Sky Blues continued to play within themselves in the West Midlands and found themselves a goal down after just 16 minutes when in-form forward Jhon Duran opened the scoring with his seventh of the season.
Manchester City, who made six changes from the team that lost last weekend’s derby clash with Manchester United, rarely troubled Emi Martinez after the goal - and found themselves 2-0 down in the second half when former City academy star Morgan Rogers doubled the home side’s lead.
Pep Guardiola’s side showed few signs of returning to their all-conquering selves throughout the contest and saved their only flicker of quality from Phil Foden until the final moments of the game when the result was ultimately done and dusted.
The defeat leaves Guardiola in uncharted territory as a manager and under scrutiny that he has perhaps never experienced in his managerial career before.
Manchester City are now nine points off the title having played two games extra in comparison to league leaders Liverpool as their season continues to spiral downwards.
Some corners are beginning to ask questions of Guardiola and his future at the Etihad despite an unprecedented four league titles in a row.
However, Peter Crouch and former City defender Joleon Lescott were quick to refute any talk of the Spaniard departing this season.
Speaking on TNT Sports, Lescott said: ''I don't think Guardiola is anywhere close to resigning. He's someone that thrives on a challenge. He will see this as a challenge. I don't think he's anywhere close to thinking about resigning.”
Crouch added:”I think he stays. I think he leaves when he wants to. It's whether he can turn it around. The man's a genius. He's changed the face of football in this country. He's not had this test anywhere he's been. He's one of the greatest we've ever seen. You'd expect him to turn it around.”
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Although City have frequently dominated the Premier League in recent years, they now appear much more vulnerable than ever before.
The champions are expected to be active in the January window to resolve these concerns but Crouch feels the damage has already been done by their disastrous winter form.
“I think you have to (write City off in title race). They're not showing signs of title-winning form.” He explained.
Manchester City will look to return to winning ways on Boxing Day when they play host to a relegation-threatened Everton side at the Etihad Stadium.
Meanwhile, Villa sit fifth in the table after leapfrogging the eight-time Premier League winners.
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