Unai Emery issues stern defence of Pep Guardiola amid Manchester City’s difficult run of form | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has received a fresh show of support from one of his managerial counterparts within the Premier League amid a difficult patch of form.

Manchester City made it nine defeats in their last eight matches with a 2-1 defeat at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon, in what was yet another lacklustre showing from the reigning Premier League champions.

Guardiola’s squad showed little sign of goalscoring intent throughout the fixture and ultimately succumbed to two goals on bright attacking phases of play from the hosts, with little to show for defensive strength either.

Jhon Duran put the hosts ahead before Morgan Rogers would double the advantage in the second-half with a stellar showing from the Manchester City Academy graduate. Phil Foden would score a late consolation to half the deficit, but leading to nothing in terms of points.

Speaking around the meeting with Manchester City at Villa Park over the weekend, Unai Emery admitted that while he is “surprised” by the ongoing run of form at the Etihad Stadium, he firmly believes Pep Guardiola remains “the best”.

“I’m a little bit surprised, but it’s football. He’s (Pep Guardiola) the best. We’re facing each match respecting the competition. It’s the most difficult competition in the world,” Emery told the media.

He continued, “Each team is giving us a lot of information about how we are and how we are facing them. We faced the best team from the last few years, clearly, in the Premier League.

“Maybe they’re not being consistent because of different circumstances, but they are the best and their coach is the best.”

The result at Villa Park and subsequent proceedings across the Premier League this weekend means Manchester City will head into their Boxing Day meeting with Everton at the Etihad Stadium languishing in seventh place.

Pep Guardiola and his players are now behind all of Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, and this weekend’s opponents in Aston Villa in the league table, whilst Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal grow their advantage in the top-three positions.