Pep Guardiola said this week he's sure Manchester City will win the Premier League title this season, but Aston Villa might have forced him into a rethink.
Unai Emery's side didn't just beat the reigning champions at Villa Park on Wednesday -- it dominated the game in a fashion few have been able to achieve over a Guardiola-led team since he started as manager with Barcelona in 2008.
Villa beat Man City 1-0 thanks to a deflected effort from Leon Bailey, who was outstanding, but it told only half the story. The home side had 22 shots while City couldn't muster a meaningful attempt after the 11th minute, when striker Erling Haaland drew a rare save from Emi Martinez.
The win pushes Unai Emery’s Villa above City into third place on the Premier League table, their 32 points two more than City ahead of a meeting with leaders Arsenal (36 points).
It’s Emery’s first win in 14 tries against Guardiola, and Villa’s first defeat of City in 10 tries.
The City loss at Villa joins three-straight draws (with Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham) and Pep Guardiola’s men are now six points off leaders Arsenal.
As is inevitable, how the suspended Spaniard was missed here, his presence so valuable against sides who deliver hurly burly like Villa. His calm, his positioning, his ability to pick out the unexpected pass: they are qualities not easily replaced. Guardiola had covered for his midfield holder with John Stones and Rico Lewis, two defenders, albeit ones schooled in his approach to positional hybridisation. But they found it impossible to find a grip against Villa’s non-stop harassment, Lewis in particular finding himself constantly overrun and dispossessed. His attempt at a Cruyff turn on the halfway line, that was snaffled immediately by McGinn, did not go down well with his manager.
Arsenal were the last team to win away in the Premier League at Villa Park in February, but Villa, boosted by some shrewd summer transfer business, are now a different prospect. Third in the table and just four points off the top, only City have scored more goals this season, and with Bailey and Ollie Watkins in particular, they are a team full of attacking intent. That should worry an Arsenal team who conceded three at Luton on Tuesday.
Guardiola said afterwards in his postmatch news conference that Villa have to be considered title challengers, but Emery, who beat Guardiola for the first time after 15 years of trying, is not ready to agree -- yet.
Villa’s men earned their win, and it’s impossible to ignore Emery’s design of the win. The hosts’ strong midfield would’ve relished the chance to fight with any Man City midfield, but suspended Rodri’s absence allowed them to domineer proceedings.
The goal was a great example, as it’s very difficult to imagine Bailey just carving up the heart of City’s final third if Rodri was on the pitch.
Read more
Juan Soto joined Yankees in blockbuster trade with Padres Stylist and Close Friend of Howard Stern Ralph Cirella Dead at 58
Sarah H
Also on site :
- Ferrari’s next-gen power unit shows promise ahead of 2026
- Flyers vs. Canucks Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Tuesday, December 30, 2025
- Year-Ender, Indian Cricket in 2025: Captaincy changes, another ICC trophy & Gambhir’s 2nd Test whitewash