Quote from: Polkeins on Today at 08:21:35 AM

Quote from: red4slash on December 07, 2023, 03:06:31 PM

Quote from: Polkeins on December 07, 2023, 08:34:51 AM

Quote from: red4slash on December 07, 2023, 08:13:32 AM

But indeed the 3-point result for Aston Villa in this match made another surprise because I understood when they were not an easy opponent but my expectations were only for a draw or victory for Manchester City but in this match it was exactly the opposite.

This is a series of unpleasant results for Manchester City because 4 matches done ended with 1 loss and 3 draws really made them lose a lot of points at the moment and immediately thrown to 4th place.
Now Pep really has to be able to get up at this time because if in the end they receive results like this mid-season for Manchester City will obviously be unpleasant to do.

Aston Villa just crushed Manchester City in this match. Aston Villa had 22 shots on goal, compared to 2 for Manchester City and were lucky that Aston Villa scored only one goal, the one that was canceled is not considered, because before the goal the ball really went over the line and canceled it correctly. This is a failure of Manchester City without reservations, they had no chance and considering the previous matches, Guardiola has something to think about. There was no such competition in the EPL last season. Liverpool were caught in a generational change and were unstable, Arsenal lacked character, Chesley were out of contention and Aston Villa were mid-table. Now Emery has knocked Manchester City out of 4th place and are clearly a medal contender this season.

Emery is probably the best acquisition of Aston Villa in recent years.

The problem is still the same where Manchester City lost the ball organiser in midfield which makes them seem very deadlocked because they are too rushed in attack.Losing KDB is very disturbing but it can be minimised by the presence of Rodri in Manchester Citymidfield but when there is no Rodri indirectly they will become increasingly difficult and it was seen in this match where they imposed the same formation but with Stones who was used as a defensive midfielder as a supplier of ball flow which is not too suitable because Stones is more often in the defensive area.

This should be of more concern now because if it continues like this Manchester City will be even more difficult even though now they have also felt a decline in the standings but they can still catch up with the points but if in the end they continue like this then the points gap will be even greater.

Manchester City have lost not only De Bruyne but also Gundogan. Stones used to play as well, but got injured, so only Rodri was left from the "old" midfield. Newcomers like Phillips or Kovacic cannot replace De Bruyne or Gundogan.
Usually Manchester City has a weak first part of the championship and they win on a long distance, but if the opponent is serious, like Liverpool times trio Salah - Mane - Firmino, Manchester City loses the championship.
Arsenal and Liverpool are serious this season and whether Guardiola will be able to catch up with them is a big question.

But I expect Aston Villa to be champions this year and I am rooting for Emery. He has found his club and should turn the game around in the EPL.

It seems the confidence you have in Emery is really massive because they were able to win Pep Guardiola's side Mancity.There is no doubt about the quality in the Aston Villa squad at the moment and what they can achieve,but I totally do not agree with you that they can be Champions when we have the likes of Arsenal who are despirately in hunger for the tittle since last season,and also Liverpool who wants to take the glory from City by all means.Well,if Aston Villa can win Arsenal on Saturday,then I can say they are a contender to the Tittle,but I doubt that will happen,it will definitely be a tough match,which Arteta and Arsenal knows,but I don't think they would let Aston Villa win them,rather,it would end in a draw or Arsenal will win them.