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Manchester City's freefalling continued with a limp 2-1 loss at Aston Villa, signalling a third consecutive defeat in all competitions and a ninth reverse in their last 12 matches.
Villa, who beat City at home last season in just one of three league defeats for Pep Guardiola's side, were utterly dominant from the off and could have scored within the first minute when Jhon Duran was thwarted by Stefan Ortega. The German goalkeeper then clawed a Pau Torres header from the line which was an inch from creeping over.
The hosts eventually got the goal they deserved when Duran accepted a gift from former City academy player Morgan Rogers, who had been released by a sublime pass from the wonderful Youri Tielemans. City had plenty of possession but were short on ideas, creating just two chances in the first half. The net would bulge again early in the second half, when Duran struck again, only for City to be saved by an offside flag. Villa bided their time, however, and eventually struck again through Rogers after the England international had waltzed his way through an all-too generous City midfield.
Phil Foden pulled a goal back in the 93rd minute but it was too little, too late for City. The champions drop below Villa to sixth in the Premier League table and are now nine points behind leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand.
GOAL rates Man City's players from Villa Park...