Aston Villa 1-0 Manchester City: Leon Bailey’s late strike inflicts shock defeat on Pep Guardiola’s side as the reigning champions slip-up in Premier League title race

Very rarely are Treble winners so upset. But that's what Aston Villa does to teams under Unai Emery. Especially here, especially on one occasion.

Manchester City almost escaped. They would have really escaped in a big way. It had nothing to do with complacency or a lack of drive or a prolonged six-month hangover, the pattern of this was largely about Villa. Too direct, too sharp.

It's hard enough at the moment to face this team, on this ground, with a full line-up, let alone with some of the bigger names missing and too many others trying to find their way back into some sort of groove after injuries or a dip in form. .

They never stuck. The pressure became too much and this is now City's worst run with Pep Guardiola at the helm. Four without a win, six points behind leaders Arsenal. They have come back from more precarious positions, but it will be a test. Once again they lost without Rodri – all three defeats this season while he was suspended.

Rodri might have stopped Leon Bailey as he galloped towards Ederson with 16 minutes to go. Instead, a vacancy and one Bailey were filled and then some.

Leon Bailey's late goal sealed victory for Aston Villa against Manchester City on Wednesday

Bailey fired Villa ahead in the 74th minute before the hosts held on until full-time

Whether Guardiola was commenting on the porous state of a team that has for so long defined itself by doing defensive things with such enthusiastic excellence, or instead on the upward mobility and home form of his hosts, City were a back five without possession. It takes less than a hand to count the number of times that has happened under the Catalan in charge.

John Stones mastered the osmosis of his role long ago, so the switch from four to five when the ball was in Bordeaux's court did not look difficult. But it was clear that whatever Guardiola's reasons, the five was a great honor for Unai Emery.

Especially in this old place. Villa last night went looking to equal the club's record of fourteen consecutive home league wins, dating back to 1903. And, far more importantly, leapfrogged City into third place as the idea of ​​Champions League football looks increasingly realistic. If not this year, then quickly.

Villa felt like a point had to be made, with City injured and vulnerable. The opening few minutes saw a sustained attack and Guardiola watched as arms were crossed as his side kept themselves afloat. The cheers as Erling Haaland walked back to his own box, only to holler aimlessly halfway, told something of a story.

John McGinn's clever, high pass across the pitch struck a drowsy Josko Gvardiol, only for Leon Bailey to locate Ederson's palms. Ederson then superbly diverted Pau Torres' curling attempt wide and later did the same from Bailey.

Bailey remained very wide on the right, with Emery identifying Gvardiol as someone who needed to be isolated. Quickly and with more energy, Villa buzzed with purpose as Bailey smashed over Lucas Digne's cross.

Still, City will feel they should have taken the lead, especially as both chances fell to Haaland. Phil Foden, back on the left wing, somehow managed to both drive past three markers and slide into the infield, allowing the Norwegian to slot in.

Emiliano Martinez threw himself to the left, Bernardo Silva took the seconds. Haaland was unable to convert Silva's subsequent floating centre.

Erling Haaland failed to score a goal that would have helped City avoid defeat on the road

Pep Guardiola's reigning Premier League champions have now dropped to fourth in the league

But overall, Villa City forced City into the final ditch. Douglas Luiz headed once into the net, but Digne was the first to take the ball out of play. None of the champions seemed comfortable with the form or the people around them. Without the suspended Rodri, there wasn't the man to slow it all down. Nobody puts their foot on the ball. Out of necessity, Guardiola chose a team of runners.

The only one who could determine the pace of a match, Silva, was on the wing. Again out of necessity. Ederson's 13 first-half shots were more than any Guardiola team has ever conceded. A surprising statistic that goes further to contextualize where these two currently find themselves.

The victory saw Villa equal a club record of 14 consecutive home league wins

Unai Emery's high-flying Villa side saw City climb to third in the Premier League

Guardiola had clearly become concerned with the way Villa City were marauding through the center of the park, moving Rico Lewis from a central berth to the right. The move finally gave Silva the opportunity to roam and recycle, to at least give the illusion that City had some control over this.

There was also little to change, with both Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish dropping out due to injury and suspension. All the big hitters were on the field or elsewhere. The biggest, Kevin De Bruyne, was probably included in the squad for the Club World Cup yesterday, but is not expected to take office until January.

Silva was the latest culprit for surrendering possession in a dangerous position, with McGinn sliding wide as he broke free from Ruben Dias. Guardiola brought on Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes in an attempt to gain more control, but with the constant threat of the ex-Wolves man.

Then Bailey's moment. It embarrassed Gvardiol – not for the first time – and Dias' attempted block went over his goalkeeper.