Manchester City lose again
Aston Villa 2 - 1 Manchester City
Manchester City's crisis intensified as they slipped to another damaging defeat at Aston Villa.
Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers goals meant Phil Foden's late reply for the visitors was little consolation.
Defending champions City have dropped to sixth in the Premier League, nine points behind leaders Liverpool having played two games more, while Villa have moved above them into fifth.
It is now nine defeats in 12 games in all competitions for City, who are winless in their last eight away matches, as their season continues to spiral downwards.
Pep Guardiola made six changes from the Manchester derby defeat last week but it made little difference during another laboured performance.
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Villa, who had won just three of their previous 11 top-flight games, earned a much-needed victory, one which keeps their top-four hopes firmly alive.
They were rarely troubled, although Emi Martinez saved well from Foden in the first half, and Villa continually found ways past City's frail backline.
The tone was set inside the first minute as City needed Stefan Ortega, in for the injured Ederson, to twice bail them out.
He brilliantly turned Pau Torres' header on to the bar, the goalkeeper clawing the ball out from almost over the line, having already saved from Duran following Josko Gvardiol's mistake after just 15 seconds.
Worse was to come after 16 minutes when City were sliced open by Youri Tielemans' brilliant through-ball. He found Rogers to advance and unselfishly square for Duran to beat Ortega.
City were unable to respond until it was too late and Rogers, who spent two years at Etihad Stadium without making a senior City appearance, sealed victory for Villa with a fine low finish after 65 minutes, making Foden's injury-time strike meaningless.
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Morgan Rogers shines against former club
Morgan Rogers, who spent two years at Manchester City without making a senior appearance, delivered a standout performance against his former club.
Having joined Middlesbrough in the summer of 2023, the 22-year-old winger made the move to Aston Villa in February. Just 18 months later, he was given a standing ovation by the Villa Park faithful as he was substituted late in the game, capping off a memorable display.
Rogers outperformed Jack Grealish, who returned to Villa Park with City, playing a key role in Villa’s 2-1 victory. He set up Jhon Duran’s opener and later embarked on a powerful run, exchanging passes with John McGinn before sealing the win with a composed finish.
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His rise is a testament to Unai Emery’s knack for spotting and developing talent. When Rogers joined from Middlesbrough, there were lingering doubts about his potential after an underwhelming spell at the Riverside. Yet, under Emery’s guidance, he has quickly become an influential figure for Villa.
Rogers’ performance helped secure a vital win for a Villa side that, while consistently in the top-four mix, has struggled with inconsistency this season. The victory leaves them level on points with fourth-placed Nottingham Forest, separated only by goal difference, and strengthens their position ahead of the January transfer window.
