Last Updated:
Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers found the back of the net for the Villans to condemn Pep Guardiola to his ninth defeat in his past twelve outings as Phil Foden’s strike in second-half stoppage time proved nothing more than a consolation.
Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Manchester City, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
Premier League champions Manchester City were handed yet another defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday as Unai Emery’s men picked up a 2-0 win over the holders at Villa Park.
Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers found the back of the net for the Villans to condemn Pep Guardiola to his ninth defeat in his past twelve outings as Phil Foden’s strike in second-half stoppage time proved nothing more than a consolation.
Guardiola opted to begin Ortega Moreno in between the sticks, with Rico Lewis, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol forming the defensive line. Mateo Kovacic, and Ilkay Gundogan were deployed in the middle of the park wit, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish on either wing. Phil Foden was pitched in an attacking midfield role with Erling Haaland playing up top.
Unai Emery started Emi Martinez in goal, behind the defensive back-four of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, and Lucas Digne. Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana were fielded in holding roles with Youri Tielemans filling the attacking midfielder position. Skipper John McGinn and Rogers were on the wings, with Duran starting at the top.
Villa started on a positive note with brimming energy which was validated as they took the lead just after the quarter-hour mark as Tielemans dropped deep to receive the ball from goalie Martinez, before playing Rogers through with an exquisite pass into the opponent territory.
The Englishman latched onto the ball and laid it off on a platter for Duran to put the final touches on it as the Colombian opened up his body to put the ball into the net past the charging Ortega to give Villa the lead.
Guardiola chose to bring on Kyle Walker in place of Stones at the halftime change.
Rogers doubled his side’s advantage in the 64th minute of the game as he held off a couple of City players before surging forward into the opposition area. The Englishman dropped the ball off to McGinn and continued his run towards the City altar. McGinn managed to cut in before playing the ball back to the feet of Rogers, who took a composed touch before smashing the ball into the back of the net to send the Villa fans at the Park into a state of delirium.
Foden reduced the arrears with his goal in the fourth minute of the second half added time, but there wasn’t much time left for City to do anything after the southpaw’s strike as Villa climbed above City to fifth in the PL table.
- Location :
United Kingdom (UK)
