'I'm not agreeing with Erling Haaland' - Pep Guardiola makes 'right balls' claim to defend Man City striker despite terrible run extending in Aston Villa loss

Guardiola claimed that the striker was not receiving the right service and explained that without the Norwegian striker they would be in even deeper peril than they already are. This comes after Haaland was critical of his own performances after City fell to yet another defeat, a 2-1 loss against Aston Villa. The striker said: "First, I'm looking at myself. I haven't been doing things good enough, I haven't been scoring my chances. I have to do better, I haven't been good enough."

Guardiola was unhappy that Haaland was taking the blame and wanted to rectify his comments.

Speaking after the game, Guardiola said: "I'm not agreeing with Erling Haaland’s self critical comments. Without him we would be even worse.

“At the end he needs to be delivered with the right balls, the right spots in the right positions, but now we recover and we will fight for the next one”.

Haaland and City's form continues to plummet. The side who have won the last four Premier League titles started the season brightly, with Haaland scoring 10 goals in their opening five games, but have stuttered and ground to a halt. Guardiola's side have one win in their last 12 games in all competitions and, looking devoid of confidence and ideas, could see that poor form stretch into the new year.

Guardiola has a home game against Everton to try and add to the one win since November against Nottingham Forest. The Toffees have had a slight resurgence in recent weeks and will not be a push over, but City will see the game as one they should, and must, win. They then travel to strugglers Leicester City hoping that, should they earn six points in their next two games, they can get back on track.