Guardiola ´desperately wants´ to find a solution to Manchester City´s poor form

Pep Guardiola has labelled himself responsible for Manchester City’s dire run of form.

The reigning Premier League champions have lost eight of their last 11 matches to effectively end their title defence, bow out of the EFL Cup and get dangerously close to falling out of the Champions League.

But the 53-year-old, who recently signed a two-year contract extension, has said that it is on him to fix the situation.

“I’m responsible. It would be easy for me to say we lost because of this action or this player or this situation but football is a team game,” Guardiola said.

“I’m completely convinced in what I’m saying, that I’m not good enough to find a way for them to feel peace in their bodies and their minds. I want it desperately. I’m here to try and I will try again and again, but that is the reality.

“I knew it would be a tough season, but I didn’t expect so hard.”

Following recent results, Manchester City are fifth in the Premier League and trail leaders Liverpool by nine points having played a game more.

“Now we do not play for many things, but especially for the momentum that we have,” said Guardiola.

“We obviously need results to lift our mood, but it is getting worse and worse and the reality is it is like this. I am the manager of this club and I have to find a solution. And so far, I did not find it. This is the truth.”

88 – Manchester City were leading until the 88th minute against Manchester United, but ended up losing 2-1 – the latest into a game that a reigning champion has led in the Premier League and lost. Astonishing. pic.twitter.com/9vwTcocgLw

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 15, 2024

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery, meanwhile, is tasked with sorting their own sticky spell, having lost four of their last seven Premier League matches.

“We are in the process of building the team and we are trying to be competitive and consistent,” he said.

Despite their poor run, the Spaniard described the ongoing competition between forwards Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran – who has scored three in three – as “perfect”.

“PLAYERS TO WATCH

Aston Villa – Jhon Duran

Duran has scored 11 goals in 24 appearances in all competitions for Aston Villa this season, despite only starting five of those matches.

The Colombian has scored in all five of the matches that he has started, while he comes into this having netted in three successive games in all competitions.

Manchester City – Josko Gvardiol

Gvardiol has scored more goals (four) than any other defender in the Premier League this season, having netted his fourth against Manchester United on Sunday.

The Croatian is Manchester City’s second-highest goalscorer behind Erling Haaland (13), while he has also had the third-most shots inside the penalty area (13) in the squad.

MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER CITY WIN

Aston Villa come into this having lost four of their last seven Premier League matches (W2 D1), while their only two victories in eight came at home to the Premier League’s two worst travelling clubs in bottom-of-the-league Southampton and Brentford.

Unai Emery’s side have also conceded 25 goals in the Premier League this season, from an xG against of 19.5, shipping 5.5 more goals than would be expected. Only Wolves (40 goals conceded, 27.6 xGA) have a worse differential this term (-12.4).

While Manchester City are enduring a difficult spell of form, having lost eight of their last 11 in all competitions, they have won 11 of their last 13 meetings against Aston Villa.

City have also had more shots (282) than any other side in the Premier League this season.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Aston Villa – 28.3%

Draw – 24.3%

Manchester City – 47.4%