Manchester City’s season continues to spiral downward as Aston Villa handed them another defeat with a dominant performance. John Duran and Morgan Rogers scored in each half, securing a comfortable win for Unai Emery’s side as Pep Guardiola’s reshuffled lineup struggled to halt their slide down the standings.
City’s troubles have been ongoing for nearly two months, evident from the very first minute when Josko Gvardiol was dispossessed, allowing Duran to take a shot that was saved by Stefan Ortega, who replaced the injured Ederson. Just moments later, Ortega made a crucial stop, denying Pau Torres’ header.
Although City controlled possession, they created few clear chances, while Villa capitalized on the counterattack. A brilliant through ball from Youri Tielemans sent Rogers away, and he laid it off for Duran to finish with ease.
Once in the Villa half, City appeared uninspired, and Emery’s well-organized defense thwarted any efforts. After securing a win against Guardiola’s side last season, Emery now has two victories in his last three encounters with the City manager.
Duran fired in a second early in the second half, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Villa continued to exploit City on the break, with Rogers hitting the post before scoring a composed finish to seal the victory, marking a cruel moment for his former team.
Phil Foden scored a late consolation for City, his first of the season, with a well-taken finish past Emi Martinez. However, the goal did little to lift City’s spirits, as they now find themselves nine points behind league leaders Liverpool with two more games played. Foden’s struggles continue, and it remains to be seen if this goal can provide a spark for both him and his team.
Looking back eight months, City had comfortably defeated Villa 4-1 at the Etihad, showcasing the dramatic shift in fortunes. On that occasion, Foden, en route to winning PFA Player of the Year, scored a brilliant hat-trick, while Rodri, later crowned Ballon d’Or winner, also found the net.
Now, Guardiola’s side is missing their Ballon d’Or winner, and Foden, once a standout player, appears to be a shadow of his former self. Rodri’s absence is often cited as a key factor in City’s struggles, as they lack a player capable of filling his influential role.
Foden is also grappling with regaining his best form. During the first half, TNT Sports highlighted a concerning stat showing Foden had the most shots in the Premier League without scoring, with 25 attempts and counting. His stoppage-time goal finally broke his scoring drought, but it felt like a small consolation amid a tough season.
Meanwhile, Morgan Rogers, who once played for City, scored Villa’s second goal just after the hour mark, further highlighting the contrasting paths of these two teams.
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