It’s now only one win in 12 for Manchester Metropolis, who fell to yet one more defeat this time by the hands of Aston Villa within the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
The reigning top-flight champions might have been two targets down inside simply two minutes at Villa Park, and trailed on the half-time interval after Jhon Duran scored from a fast break for the hosts.
Former Manchester Metropolis man Morgan Rodgers compounded the Blues’ ache with the second objective for Aston Villa, and so regardless of Phil Foden’s first league objective of the season within the closing levels, it’s a sixth defeat within the league this time period for Pep Guardiola’s beleaguered males.
If Metropolis have been in any respect nervy heading into the sport, the beginning they made would have executed nothing to ease these considerations, as a mix-up between John Stones and Josko Gvardiol allowed Duran a free run at objective inside 20 seconds, however Stefan Ortega received down neatly to disclaim the Colombian.
The German worldwide shot-stopper was required once more instantly, as Pau Torres’ header went looping in direction of the highest nook, just for Manchester Metropolis’s keeper to scoop it out simply earlier than it crossed the road.
Metropolis started controlling the ball extra after that frantic begin, getting their first pictures away via Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic, however on the 15-minute mark they have been carved open for Aston Villa’s opener.
John Stones pressed Youri Tielemans excessive nevertheless it left the defender out of place, so Aston Villa’s midfielder performed a chopping ball via to Rodgers, and the Metropolis academy graduate simply teed up Duran who didn’t cross up one other probability.
Metropolis have been clearly instructed to search for the change to Grealish on the left wing at each alternative; the pitch-side microphones picked up Pep Guardiola’s screams of “Jack!” every time he felt his gamers must have fed the no.10.
The tactic appeared to help in serving to Metropolis achieve a foothold within the recreation they usually had a greater 15-minute spell, culminating in a pleasant transfer from Phil Foden and Rico Lewis, with the previous drawing a good save from Emiliano Martinez.
Maybe Metropolis’s greatest probability of the half got here once they performed Villa at their very own recreation and hit on counter-attacks earlier than half-time; Gvardiol charged up the pitch and gave it to Grealish, earlier than persevering with his run into the field and getting on the tip of the Englishman’s cross, solely to raise his header over the bar.
The second half started as frantically as the primary had, with a Matty Money shot, Jhon Duran offside objective, and a wayward Phil Foden effort all coming throughout the first 5 minutes.
Metropolis have been in determined want of a objective however simply couldn’t cease the Villa risk; Rodgers went near including a second for the hosts simply earlier than the hour mark, bundling via the defence and driving his shot in opposition to the skin of the put up.
However he wasn’t to be denied for lengthy – the Aston Villa attacker disregarded Kyle Walker, Mateo Kovacic and Manuel Akanji, exchanged passes with John McGinn and slotted past Stefan Ortega.
In distinction to Villa’s risk each time they got here froward, Metropolis have been painfully toothless; a few long-range Foden efforts which have been by no means, ever troubling Martinez was the very best they might muster within the second half, till the midfielder lastly received a break of the ball and pulled one again, nevertheless it was too little, too late for the Blues.
Right here’s how we rated the Manchester Metropolis gamers from yet one more disappointing afternoon’s work for the Premier League champions in defeat to Aston Villa!
Participant Rankings
Beginning XI
Stefan Ortega – 7 (MOTM)
As has been the case far too usually for Metropolis’s keepers this season, he did his greatest to maintain the opposition at bay, however ultimately the possibilities that they created have been completed in a fashion that couldn’t be stopped.
Rico Lewis – 5.5
Inverted into the midfield however wasn’t a lot of a presence. Received some challenges but in addition let Rodgers go on Villa’s first.
John Stones – 5
Untroubled when play out from the again however made the important thing error in pushing up too excessive throughout Villa’s opener. Withdrawn at half-time.
Manuel Akanji – 5.5
Didn’t draw back from his duel with Duran however got here off second greatest on extra events than not. The sight of him making an attempt in useless to get well as opposing attackers ran clear via on objective has turn into sadly acquainted this time period.
Josko Gvardiol – 5.5
Linked up pretty nicely Grealish however couldn’t do something to stem the Villa tide or to get Metropolis flowing going the opposite means. Missed the very best probability the Blues created.
Mateo Kovacic – 4
Performed just a few good passes however was chasing shadows off the ball. Didn’t get close to Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans within the Villa midfield.
Ilkay Gundogan – 6
Picked up some attention-grabbing superior roles and received just a few second balls, however simply wasn’t concerned sufficient earlier than his withdrawal. Not the most important perpetrator behind the defensive openness this time.
Phil Foden – 5
Couldn’t get into the sport in any respect within the first half, and tried to overcompensate by taking part in ‘hero-ball’ and taking pictures on sight within the second interval. Lastly received his objective within the Premier League, nevertheless it doesn’t save what was one other poor outing.
Bernardo Silva – 6
Stuffed with trade however not a lot innovation. The very fact his spotlight of the sport was a last-ditch block on Rodgers says loads about his work-rate, but in addition about his and Metropolis’s attacking risk.
Erling Haaland – 5
One of many main dilemmas of the season; how a lot blame are you able to attribute to Haaland, who has so usually been invisible, but in addition barely has something created for him?
Jack Grealish – 5.5
Noticed large quantities of the ball within the first half and, while his management and poise can’t be questioned, you need to marvel what may need occurred if the Leroy Sane or Raheem Sterling of yesteryear had been afforded that form of area.
Substitutes
Kyle Walker – 5
No large errors however floundered about on the again.
Savinho – 5.5
Couldn’t get something going.
Jeremy Doku – N/A