3 hours ago
9
The unbeaten run stops at nine, Erling Haaland’s scoring streak at 12 and Manchester City are somehow level on points with Manchester United. A day that can easily flip perceptions and mood if they allow it to.
But City succumbing to that would be silly, this defeat feeling different to the other couple in the Premier League. Down at Brighton in late August, the collective look of bemusement raised alarms – and did to such a degree that Pep Guardiola’s captains huddled together for a meeting centred on the squad’s standards.
Losing at Aston Villa – City have failed to win on all visits since 2021 – will not provoke the same reaction, and it was proven by the substitutes midway through the second half.
For a spell of over five minutes, at least one of Rayan Cherki, Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis were either directing traffic or gesticulating at a poorly timed press or moment of misfortune. This was frustration, not resignation, and marked a very distinct change in attitude and body language over two months.
As they shook their heads in unison, it became clear that City were not enacting some specific details of what Guardiola had asked – and everybody on that touchline knew it. That was the annoyance, while against Brighton the collective seemed altogether more unsure.
It’s why the 1-0 reverse at a stadium, in an atmosphere, they rarely respond well to – a game settled by Matty Cash’s stunning left footed effort, albeit afforded space by Bernardo Silva ambling out to greet him on the edge of the box – should not spell panic. After half-time, particularly once Nico Gonzalez and Nico O’Reilly were introduced, the fundamentals of what Guardiola wants all appeared to be there, especially in possession.
Matty Cash scored the only goal of the game as Aston Villa beat Man City 1-0 at Villa Park
It was a bad day for Pep Guardiola's side but they are still heading in the right direction
The issue was that Villa had Ezri Konsa at the back. And that no second balls fell to the visitors. And Amadou Onana bossed the midfield.
Sometimes, these days happen. That rather summed itself up when Kovacic turned away in angst at one move breaking down, Haaland berating Emiliano Martinez for apparent time-wasting then spinning to barrack Jeremy Doku not backing up his press, while Gonzalez sprinted off with a bloodied nose. Even more so when Haaland thundered his groin into the back post when sliding in an equaliser ultimately ruled offside.
Were second-placed Bournemouth to rock up at the Etihad next Sunday and truly turn City over then perhaps the recent form will require a little revisionism but for now, it still feels like Guardiola has them heading in the right direction.
‘The spirit in the second half was really good,’ Guardiola said. ‘We adjusted. I have the feeling that the team is alive, it plays good. Last season was much, much worse.’
The last season with which he refers was Villa’s 2-1 win here just before Christmas.
Guardiola branded it ‘a mess’ after rewatching that meeting the other day, although clearly believes that tactically they had the right idea because he again picked John Stones to act as an extra midfielder.
City’s high line played chicken with Villa runners and, even during a tough opening 45 minutes, largely held their own. Matheus Nunes was caught over the top in the build-up to the decisive corner ahead of Cash’s winner, City disputing the award and claiming that the right back was fouled by Lucas Digne.
Guardiola disagreed with his staff’s complaints. ‘We should've defended the corner,’ he said. ‘You cannot complain about actions from five minutes before.’
Erling Haaland's run of scoring in 12 successive games came to an end on Sunday afternoon
Tijjani Reijnders struggled at the base of midfield with Rodri and Nico Gonzalez not fit to start
But things are looking up for Unai Emery's men, who have now won four league games in a row
Guardiola gave Villa their deserved due – calling them ‘a Champions League team’ despite missing out on qualification last year – and with Unai Emery having manufactured four consecutive league wins now, they will threaten the top four again.
The general togetherness around the place, with Onana whipping the crowd into a frenzy even when already halfway down the tunnel, speaks to a club that has now found its feet again.
‘We started the season poorly,’ Emery said. ‘We weren’t feeling good or confident. How we’ve reacted, following the plan, is fantastic. We were resilient when we needed it and dominated when we could with our power.’
Emery preyed on the transition, Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers crucial components of that as City allowed themselves to be overrun in key moments that could probably have been predicted when Gonzalez was only fit enough for a spot on the bench.
Tijjani Reijnders has qualities to offer but manning the fort alone doesn’t appear to be one of those – especially when not backed up by any of the four picked in front of him. Not aggressive enough was the prevailing feeling and when that is an issue, a team as good as Villa will take advantage.
‘We arrived two seconds late to every duel,’ Silva moaned. ‘Even though our offensive concepts were quite good, if the pressing is not good you allow the game to be a transitional game. When our pressing is not good we do not play well.’
That should act as a big flashing siren for Pep Lijnders and Silva may have talked the team into a refresh of those basics that have been revisited since Guardiola installed a new backroom team in the summer. That ought to be easily fixed and, although six points adrift of Arsenal, Guardiola does not appear unduly worried.
‘I don't live in October and November thinking “Oh what is going to happen if we don't win the Premier League”, so it's game by game now,’ he said. ‘I was worried before the (September) international break when we were 14th in the table and (Liverpool) were seven or eight points in front.
‘Our job is not to look towards the table now. If Arsenal win all their games and win the Premier League, congratulate them, that's all we can do.’
