Manchester City must move on from the derby but learn the lessons from it | OneFootball

Three days have almost gone by since Manchester City’s miserable derby defeat to Manchester United at the Etihad last Sunday. Since the game, there has been a period of reflection for the Manchester City players. They were given two days off following the match. But there were lessons to take from the heartbreaking defeat to their arch-rivals. They must be learnt as City begin preparations for a tough away trip to take on Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday.

Saturday’s match against Aston Villa looms as another tough fixture for Pep Guardiola’s struggling side. Unai Emery’s side are a tough proposition at home. With one win in eleven games, any match right now appears to be a tough fixture for Manchester City. But the lessons from City’s derby defeat could help Pep Guardiola’s side against Aston Villa.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Manchester City must cut down on the individual errors that are plaguing their play. That is the first lesson that must be taken from the derby defeat. It is an obvious one but any errors like we have seen of late from this City side at Villa Park will likely prove fatal. That is an obvious conclusion to come to.

Another one is Pep Guardiola’s side needs to play with energy. At times against United they appeared lifeless and and lacked the energy usually associated with a Pep Guardiola side. A heavy schedule and fatigue, of course, are factors in this. But Manchester City will have had 6 days to prepare between the derby and Saturday’s clash with Aston Villa. Perhaps a break may raise the energy levels of a weary City squad. It can’t hurt that’s for sure.

There are plenty of other lessons for Manchester City to take out of Sunday’s derby disaster. Pep Guardiola’s side must learn them and apply them to Saturday’s tricky test at Villa Park. If they can it may see them begin to turn the corner after their recent slide. They simply have to if they are to pick up a vital three points against Aston Villa on Saturday.