Aston Villa Vs Manchester City [1–0] – Premier League 2025/2026: How Unai Emery’s Mid-Block Neutralized Pep Guardiola Tactics – Tactical Analysis

Aston Villa defeated Manchester City by a slender margin of 1-0 in round 9 of the 2025/2026 Premier League.

The result saw Unai Emerys Villa close the points gap to just one, leaving City in fifth place.

Meanwhile, the hosts are now in eighth, just behind Liverpool on goal difference.

Villa put in a commendable defensive display, allowing Man City just two shots in the first half and a total of just two big chances in the entire game.

Additionally, both sides had similar numbers for total passes, opposition box touches, and final third entries, suggesting the hosts demonstrated formidable attacking intent.

Through this tactical analysis, we will examine how the Villans kept Pep Guardiolas Manchester City out, created their chances, and scored the winner.

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Aston Villa Vs Manchester City Lineups & Formations

Let us look at how Unai Emery and Pep Guardiola fielded their squads.

Aston Villa Lineup 

Villa played in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Emiliano Martínez was in goal, behind a back four of Matty Cash (right-back), Ezri Konsa (right centre-back), Pau Torres (left centre-back), and Lucas Digne (left-back).

Digne ca