Manchester City's dire run of form continued on Saturday, as they fell to a sixth Premier League defeat in eight at Villa Park.
Pep Guardiola's side never looked particularly threatening against Aston Villa, and goals from Jhon Duran and City academy graduate Morgan Rogers had the home side cruising to victory.
Though Phil Foden pulled one back for the champions in injury time, this was yet another day to forget for City, in a season that has become something of a nightmare in the blink of an eye.
Since late October, City have won just once - a routine home win over Nottingham Forest - and have suffered big defeats to Spurs, Liverpool, Manchester United, Juventus, PSG, and now Villa.
Alarm bells are ringing for the Citizens, especially with manager Pep Guardiola appearing increasingly frazzled in recent weeks as he processes a hitherto-unprecedented drop-off in form.
Guardiola once again seemed on edge as he spoke to TNT Sports post-match from Villa Park.
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Pep Guardiola reacts after yet another defeat for Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has been in somewhat erratic form amid the dire run of form his Manchester City side have fallen into of late.
The City boss was seen with scratch marks on his head after a Champions League draw with Feyenoord, while he went on a bizarre rant to the BBC after Rico Lewis' late red card at Crystal Palace last week.
Though he was not as frazzled after today's defeat, he was still clearly tense while speaking to TNT Sports post-game.
"We struggle to score and we concede goals" 😳
Pep Guardiola gives @julesbreach his analysis on Man City's 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa...
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/eTiBhWdZgf— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 21, 2024
Guardiola gave a frank assessment of where City's problems lie, simply stating "We struggle to score and we concede goals," though he believed that his team had performed better than they did in last week's surreal Manchester derby defeat.
It was when TNT reporter Jules Breach repeated a previously-asked question on what City need to do to stop the rut they find themselves in that Guardiola became visibly tense.
The City boss said,
I said to you last time. You [can] answer the question like I gave it to you. It's the same, I have to find [the solution]...sooner or later we need to find it.
I have to try [something different]. Back my players. That is what I will do different.
There were several lengthy pauses thrown in, as the intensity of Guardiola's answers increased. He then made a swift exit from the interview immediately after being thanked, once again giving a glimpse at the toll this run of form has taken on him.
With every passing week, the story of Manchester City's season becomes more and more surreal. The once-perennial champions are next in action on Stephen's Day at home against Everton.
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