Aston Villa delivered a remarkable performance, securing a significant victory against Manchester City, further complicating the defending champions’ Premier League season.
Goals from Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers set the tone for the Premier League match, while Phil Foden’s late response for City provided a glimpse of the fight but wasn’t enough to change the outcome.
This defeat places Manchester City in sixth position in the Premier League, now nine points behind leaders Liverpool, with City having played two more matches. Conversely, Villa’s win propels them into fifth place, keeping their hopes for a top-four finish alive.
For City, this marks nine defeats in their last 12 games across all competitions, and they remain winless in their past eight away matches. Manager Pep Guardiola opted for six changes from the previous week’s loss in the Manchester derby, but the team struggled to find their rhythm once again.
Aston Villa, who had previously won just three out of 11 top-flight games, showcased resilience and determination in this match. They were well-organized at the back, with Emiliano Martínez making key saves, including a notable stop from Foden in the first half.
The match’s early moments set a challenging tone for City. Stefan Ortega, filling in for the injured Ederson, was called into action immediately, making crucial saves to keep the scoreline manageable.
Villa capitalized on their opportunities, with Youri Tielemans delivering an exceptional through-ball that set up Rogers to assist Duran in scoring the opening goal after just 16 minutes.
Although City pushed for a response, Villa effectively maintained their lead. Rogers further extended Villa’s advantage with a well-placed finish in the 65th minute, making Foden’s injury-time goal a mere consolation.
This victory not only boosts Villa’s confidence but also demonstrates their potential to compete effectively in the league, while City will be looking to regroup and address their current challenges.