Manchester City’s struggles deepened with a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday, marking an almost unthinkable downturn for a team that has dominated the Premier League over the past
four seasons.
Pep Guardiola's side suffered their ninth loss in 12 matches across all competitions, a slump that has plunged the club into an unexpected crisis. Goals from Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers on either side of halftime gave Villa a commanding lead at Villa Park. Phil Foden’s stoppage-time goal offered little consolation for City, whose alarming form has seen them win just one of their last 12 games.
This dismal run has seen City eliminated from the League Cup, teeter on the brink of Champions League exit, and fall significantly behind in the race for a fifth consecutive Premier League title. Their sixth league defeat of the season leaves them in sixth place with 27 points from 17 games, while Villa leapfrogged them into fifth on 28 points.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest’s remarkable form continued with a 2-0 win at Brentford, ending the latter’s unbeaten home record and moving Forest into third place with 31 points. Arsenal, however, have a chance to reclaim third if they avoid defeat at Crystal Palace later on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Alexander Isak scored a hat-trick to propel Newcastle United to a 4-0 victory over struggling Ipswich Town, lifting Eddie Howe’s side to seventh place with 26 points. Brighton and Hove Albion remain in ninth after a 1-1 draw at West Ham United. Photo by Ian Wilson from London, England,