Unai Emery explains how he outplayed Guardiola and beat Man City
i

Unai Emery's Aston Villa trumps Pep Guardiola's Manchester City || Image credit: Imago

Unai Emery explains how he outplayed Guardiola and beat Man City

Faruq Ibrahim 02:03 - 07.12.2023

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery analyses his team's performance against Manchester City.

Aston Villa put on a clinic in their victory against Manchester City and Villaian boss Unai Emery has now analysed his team’s performance.

Manchester City suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Birmingham-based club at Villa Park, which saw them slip to fourth on the table, behind Emery’s team, which rose to third.

Aston Villa dominated for most of the proceedings, limiting Manchester City to only two shots, the lowest recorded by any Pep Guardiola team since his top-flight managerial career, and Leon Bailey’s strike in the 71st minute crowned the effort with glory.

What Emery said 

"We are preparing the match trying to get this good performance collectively. We did good work defensively with a high press and we were trying to be aggressive,” he said, per the BBC.

Aston Villa v Manchester City - Premier League - Villa Park Aston Villa manager Unai Emery on the touchline || Image credit: Imago
Aston Villa v Manchester City - Premier League - Villa Park Aston Villa manager Unai Emery on the touchline || Image credit: Imago
Leon Bailey's goal helped Aston Villa beat Manchester City || Image credit: Imago
Leon Bailey's goal helped Aston Villa beat Manchester City || Image credit: Imago

"We did a fantastic match, a fantastic game, but there is still work to do for Saturday [at home to Arsenal]. Of course the goalkeeper saved us in one or two actions, we were getting more comfortable and we're connected with our supporters, they pushed us.

"When you are playing Manchester City you have to get your moments and try to control the game. We created chances but it was a very tough match.”

Meanwhile, despite recent stumbles, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola remains optimistic about their chances of defending their Premier League title.

Related content