Manchester City is slightly off the balance on the Premier League title race this season following the 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
Despite coming from a three-match winless run, The Premier League champions found the Villans a tough nut to crack at the Villa Park.
Moreso, they could not pull down the fortress built by Unai Emery in Aston, Birmingham. Aston Villa have won all their 14 home games in all competitions but Unai Emery was facing a tough test to down Pep Guardiola's winning machine.
Before the match, Guardiola and Emery had faced off 13 times with no win for Emery. The tides changed at the Villa Park as the former Arsenal boss finally eke out a win over Guardiola.
Leon Bailey's second half deflected goal was enough to do the damage, and salvage all three points for the home side.
Following the defeat, it is pretty obvious Manchester City's attempt for a 5th successive Premier League title is off balance.
With three games left to wrap off 50% of the season, City are down to fourth on the table with 30 points from 15 games. They are 6 points away from league leaders Arsenal and 4 points from second-placed Liverpool.
Manchester City's poor outing against Aston Villa has been linked to the absence of their key man Rodri, who missed the match due to suspension.
However, Guardiola has played down missing Rodri while insisting he has to develop a new dynamic plan to return the team to winning ways.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola said;
'‘It's my duty, my job to find a way to [redress] the situation because over many years together we were able to find a way to play games and now we are struggling. We have to change the dynamic, winning as soon as possible against Luton and Crystal Palace
'‘I have to think about it. The dynamic changes by winning games but to win games we have to reflect on what we have to do with the players that we have.
"It was really difficult because they are really physical and able to control many aspects. That is the reason why they are up there, playing good football and we could not do it. We have to accept when a team is better and recognise."
Manchester City will take on Luton in their next game before facing Crystal Palace. They have now gone 4 matches without a win and will desperately need a win against Luton to heap pressure on Arsenal and Liverpool on the title race.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, will face another tough test to keep their winning streak at Villa Park when they welcome league leaders Arsenal at the weekend.
Despite coming from a three-match winless run, The Premier League champions found the Villans a tough nut to crack at the Villa Park.
Moreso, they could not pull down the fortress built by Unai Emery in Aston, Birmingham. Aston Villa have won all their 14 home games in all competitions but Unai Emery was facing a tough test to down Pep Guardiola's winning machine.
Before the match, Guardiola and Emery had faced off 13 times with no win for Emery. The tides changed at the Villa Park as the former Arsenal boss finally eke out a win over Guardiola.
Leon Bailey's second half deflected goal was enough to do the damage, and salvage all three points for the home side.
Following the defeat, it is pretty obvious Manchester City's attempt for a 5th successive Premier League title is off balance.
With three games left to wrap off 50% of the season, City are down to fourth on the table with 30 points from 15 games. They are 6 points away from league leaders Arsenal and 4 points from second-placed Liverpool.
Manchester City's poor outing against Aston Villa has been linked to the absence of their key man Rodri, who missed the match due to suspension.
However, Guardiola has played down missing Rodri while insisting he has to develop a new dynamic plan to return the team to winning ways.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola said;
'‘It's my duty, my job to find a way to [redress] the situation because over many years together we were able to find a way to play games and now we are struggling. We have to change the dynamic, winning as soon as possible against Luton and Crystal Palace
'‘I have to think about it. The dynamic changes by winning games but to win games we have to reflect on what we have to do with the players that we have.
"It was really difficult because they are really physical and able to control many aspects. That is the reason why they are up there, playing good football and we could not do it. We have to accept when a team is better and recognise."
Manchester City will take on Luton in their next game before facing Crystal Palace. They have now gone 4 matches without a win and will desperately need a win against Luton to heap pressure on Arsenal and Liverpool on the title race.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, will face another tough test to keep their winning streak at Villa Park when they welcome league leaders Arsenal at the weekend.