Michael Owen is a genius: Ex-Premier League striker has the last laugh as he revisits bold Man City prediction from August that he was slated for

The former Liverpool and Manchester United striker was mocked by fans after he said in August that City will struggle to finish in the Premier League's top four, but the reigning champions have fallen to sixth place amid a disastrous run of fixtures.

Owen's claim resurfaced on social media after City lost 2-1 to Aston Villa on Saturday, their ninth loss in 12 matches across all competitions, and Owen added an upside down emoji as he shared a post that praised the 45-year-old.

Sitting four points behind fourth-placed Nottingham Forest, City can still qualify for the Champions League with plenty of time left for Guardiola to get his team back on track. The coach said after Saturday's game that his team's fortunes will turn around when their injury issues lighten up, with Rodri, Ederson and Ruben Dias among the names missing from the squad.

Having won just one of their last 12 matches, Guardiola's side will be desperate for the three points when they meet Everton on December 26.