With nine defeats in the last 12 games, Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City have closed 2024 in the worst possible way after being handcuffed by Unai Emery’s Aston Villa. A result (2-1) that could leave the ‘cityzen’ team out of European competitions if Iraola’s Bournemouth takes the three points from Old Trafford on its visit to United.
With a match plan that was reminiscent of the one Emery proposed at Villa Park just twelve months ago, Aston Villa once again tied up City. A feeling that, however, Guardiola does not share: “We played a very good first half, except for the error in the first actions. But I think we played a very, very good first half. In the second we lost. Congratulations, Aston Villa, and keep it up.”
The feeling of superiority on the part of Aston Villa was constant from beginning to end. Above all, because of the ease with which the ‘villains’ dismantled City again and again: “In the middle block they are very strong. We had good moments, we had chances, more chances than in the game against United, but in the “In the second half we fell behind and our pressure was not good enough. It cost us a little and we couldn’t score well. In the end we found a goal, but it was too late.”
City, especially in the second half, dedicated themselves to chasing shadows on the pitch while Guardiola was unable to find solutions: “I have to change the approach. But I have incredible confidence in these guys, some of them have a pride incredible and the desire to do it, and we have to do it, I have to find a way to, sooner or later, step by step, come back.
