Pep’s problems continue to mount as Man City are deservedly beaten by Aston Villa: Five things we learned

The problems continue to mount for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City after they were deservedly beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa.

Jhon Duran gave the home side the lead in the first half before the marvellous Morgan Rogers added a second after the break to make it just one win in 12 games for City in all competitions. Phil Foden got a goal back for his side in second-half stoppage time but it proved too late for his team to salvage something.

Hayters TV’s Dan Bennett was at Villa Park. Here’s his thoughts on the game…

Rogers shines against former club

Morgan Rogers was excellent against his former club, providing a constant threat with his direct running with the ball and with his pace in behind, which resulted in Villa’s opening goal when Youri Tielemans sent him racing through on goal to square it for team-mate Jhon Duran to finish past Stefan Ortega. He rarely gave the ball away either and worked hard out of possession for his team, tracking back to support his left-back Lucas Digne. He then grabbed a deserved second for his side in the second half, driving forward and playing the ball out to John McGinn before getting it back in the box and finishing low into the bottom corner. This has been a breakout year for Rogers and he certainly looks a special talent.

Familiar problems for City

City have really struggled against physical, powerful and pacey teams this season and it was a familiar story in this defeat to Villa. Guardiola has unsurprisingly persisted with playing the high line that has helped to bring him so much success in his reign at the club, enabling his side to dominate games when at their best. But it leaves them incredibly vulnerable to direct counter attacks, as shown not only in Villa’s goals but throughout the game too. It was the same in the defeats to Bournemouth, Sporting CP and Manchester United last week. They lack a physicality in midfield which makes them too easy to get through and their defence has been left exposed time and time again. Where does Guardiola go from here?

Adaptable Villa execute their game plan to perfection

Rogers was the standout man but the whole Villa team were excellent in their victory over City. They started the game by really going after their opponents, sensing their vulnerability, and twice went close to taking the lead in the first two minutes when Duran was denied one v one by Ortega after some loose play saw City give the ball away at the back, before Ortega made a brilliant save to tip Pau Torres’ header onto the bar. But after getting their goal, they were professional and were content to put men behind the ball and frustrate City, limiting them to plenty of possession in defence and midfield without creating many opportunities and then picking their moments to counter. It was a masterclass from Unai Emery and his side.

Haaland was a passenger

Erling Haaland was rarely involved against Villa. He has never been a player who gets involved in the overall build up play, instead preferring to focus on getting himself in the best possible position to score but not for the first time this season he had a real lack of service from his team-mates. It is strange that City have not looked to utilise perhaps the best striker in the world by making him more of a focal point.

Stones’ fitness problems continue

John Stones started for City for the first time since the defeat to Tottenham last month having been sidelined with a foot injury of late. He lasted only 45 minutes in that game and again today, being brought off at half-time for Kyle Walker. The defender just cannot seem to play a whole game, which does not bode well for the England team either.