Leon Bailey’s second-half goal dealt a blow to Manchester City’s title aspirations, securing a well-deserved 1-0 victory for in-form Aston Villa.
Unai Emery’s team, now boasting a remarkable 14 consecutive Premier League home wins, dominated much of the match, marking Emery’s first managerial triumph over compatriot Pep Guardiola.
City, currently occupying fourth place in the Premier League table, find themselves six points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
The encounter saw Villa control proceedings, limiting City’s opportunities, with only two shots on target from the visitors.
Ederson’s acrobatic save denied Pau Torres an early lead for Villa, while Emiliano Martinez thwarted Erling Haaland’s attempts with a crucial double save.
Despite City’s defensive efforts, Villa pressed forward, with Bailey, Lucas Digne, and Ezri Konsa testing the visitors’ resilience. The second half unfolded as a tighter contest, with John McGinn squandering a golden opportunity just after the hour mark.
However, Bailey eventually broke the deadlock with a deflected shot from the edge of the box, securing a 1-0 lead for Villa.
An attempt by Douglas Luiz hit the post late in the game, adding to City’s woes as they struggled to breach Villa’s steadfast defense.
Guardiola’s team, left without reward for their efforts, now faces an uphill battle in the pursuit of the Premier League title.
