Speaking to Manchester City’s official website after suffering a 1-0 defeat at Villa Park last night, Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Unai Emery’s men.
Aston Villa produced an outstanding display against the champions last night, winning deservedly courtesy to Leon Bailey’s 74th-minute strike.
City were simply second-best on the night as Villa continuously created chances.
You’d be hard-pressed to remember a game where Guardiola’s side were so passive as Emery’s men went for them from the off.
The win saw the Villains leapfrog City in the table into third place and Guardiola has offered a theory as to why Villa are doing so well this season.
Guardiola on why Aston Villa are doing so well this season
Speaking to City’s media team, Guardiola admitted Villa were simply the better team last night.
The Citizens boss then explained why he thinks Emery’s side are right up there in the league this term.
“The better team won,” he said.“Aston Villa was better than us. They are well organised, fast and [have] physical players and team and they are able to control many aspects.
“That is the reason why they are up there, playing good football and we could not do it. It’s my duty, my job to find the way to come back.
“I give credit to Aston Villa, first of all. They do it. The first half we struggled to follow what we spoke [about].
“[We said] something at halftime, and] the team had a different dynamic, but we couldn’t find the players to make the assist, cross, or pass.”
“When we arrived, there was no sense of ‘oh, we’re going to do something.'” And it’s something we miss.”
Villa have been formidable at home of late and have registered 14 wins on the bounce at Villa Park.
They were held to a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth over the weekend and their away form has been slightly less convincing. But they did pick up a statement win at Tottenham beforehand.
Emery is doing an exceptional job at Villa Park and not many would have expected them to be above City after 15 games played.
Guardiola was clearly impressed with Emery’s side last night and it’s rare to hear the City boss admit his side were inferior after a game.
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