'We are living the parallel' - Pep Guardiola admits Man City are in unchartered territory after latest dismal defeat in dire run of form

Manchester City are struggling for form this season following Rodri’s season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The defending Premier League champions have only won once in 12 matches in all competitions, a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the league.

Guardiola is said to be working overtime to try to resurrect City’s form and had revealed earlier in the month that the nosedive has seen him adopt an unhealthy lifestyle. The former Barcelona man spoke to the media after City’s 2-1 loss to Aston Villa on Saturday - their third straight loss - and revealed that he is baffled by the alarming downturn.

The Catalan tactician said: “Always when we win a lot of games and titles I say we are going to lose games. When we won 13 or 14 games or 10 games and we lose one or draw one and it is, ‘what happened? Why you draw or lose a game?’ So it is football.

“We won a lot, it was exceptional, and now we are living the parallel. We didn’t expect [it], I didn’t personally and I don’t know what will be the outcome after that, so life gives you that. We have to deal with it.”

Guardiola’s side now have two games that can be considered somewhat easier as they will take on Everton on Boxing Day before travelling to King Power Stadium to face off against Leicester City on December 29. City fans will be hopeful their side can utilise the two clashes to turn around their form as the year comes to a close.