'This is a crisis': Manchester City's horror run stats must be seen to be believed

“This is a crisis.”

talkSPORT presenter Reshmin Choudhury summed it up perfectly afterwards city ​​of manchesterThe streak of terror went from bad to worse in Villa Park.

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pep guardiolaThe team suffered its ninth defeat in 12 games with an abject 2-1 defeat against Villa Aston.

That sentence would have been hard to believe at any time in the last four years.

Reigning champions City have won every Premier League title in that time and have been arguably the best team in Europe by far.

However, since the end of October, or since Guardiola signed a contract extensionThey have seemed like mid-table mediocrity.

Villa never had any real problems against City until Phil Foden scored a consolation goal in second-half stoppage time.

And reacting to his shocking performance, talkSPORT host Reshmin added: “This is bigger than a dent in his season.

“This is a crisis now. Because until now we have always wondered how Manchester City will turn this back.

“Well, it's the ninth loss in 12. They only won once in that streak. They didn't win in November.

“They have conceded 27 goals in those 12 games. That is an average of more than two goals per game that this almost invincible Manchester City have conceded in just their last twelve games.

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“It's a pretty extraordinary fall.”

City's latest defeat leaves them sixth in the standings, nine points behind the league leader Liverpool – who have played two less games.

Surprisingly, they could be ninth at the end of the weekend's action if results go against them.

That is after dropping more points this season than in the entire 2023/24 campaign, when City only lost three times.

And Erling Haaland, Europe's best striker for two years, has only had three shots in three games, without scoring a goal in that time.

It was former player Morgan Rogers who put Guardiola to the sword on Saturday, setting up Jhon Durán before adding a superb second himself.

With former Manchester City star Cole Palmer also leading the title fight in Chelseabigger questions will be raised about the city's decision-making in recent years.

And while it would sound like sacrilege to ever question Guardiola's future, given his reputation as arguably the best manager in world football, City might have thought better of that contract extension if it were still on the table today.

Trying to process this unfathomable drop in form, City star Rico Lewis told talkSPORT: “I think the main thing we're struggling with at the moment is the basics and I've said that a few times.

“It's what we tell each other. The conversation, the communication, the simple passes, the simple things, the headers, the simple parts of the game.

“Even at the beginning of the season, when we were undefeated, we always did well. I think we take it for granted and people outside take it for granted.”

“When they see that it's not as smooth as it normally is, that's why there's such a big reaction.

“Of course, I'm not saying there isn't a need for a big reaction because a club like this needs to get out of this problem, but also turn it around and start achieving an unbeaten streak.”

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“But I would say it's just getting back to the basics and then from there we'll gain confidence and get back to where we want to be.”

Lewis added: “In terms of mentality, everyone wants to win. Nobody goes into the game thinking: I don't want to play today or I don't want to win today.”

“Everyone wants to do the right thing. So I wouldn't say it's a mentality thing at all.”

Whatever the question, City need to find the answer; Otherwise, they will face the incomprehensible prospect of failing to qualify for next season's Champions League.