Published: 18:48, 26 October 2025 | Updated: 18:48, 26 October 2025

The unbeaten run stops at nine, Erling Haaland’s scoring streak at 12 and Manchester City are somehow level on points with Manchester United. A day that can easily flip perceptions and mood if they allow it to.

But City succumbing to that would be silly, this defeat feeling different to the other couple in the Premier League. Down at Brighton in late August, the collective look of bemusement raised alarms – and did to such a degree that Pep Guardiola’s captains huddled together for a meeting centred on the squad’s standards.

Losing at Aston Villa – City have failed to win on all visits since 2021 – will not provoke the same reaction, and it was proven by the substitutes midway through the second half.

For a spell of over five minutes, at least one of Rayan Cherki, Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis were either directing traffic or gesticulating at a poorly timed press or moment of misfortune. This was frustration, not resignation, and marked a very distinct change in attitude and body...