Where do Manchester City go from here and who do they turn to on the pitch?
Bereft of confidence, City’s players continued their alarming slump and there was never any sign it was going to end.
Just 15 seconds in Gvardiol’s mistake let in Duran, who should have scored, and City rarely improved from there.
Over the past 12 games there have been few signs Guardiola’s side are going to return to their all-conquering past selves and their hopes of a fifth straight title look in tatters.
Never mind defending their Premier League crown, City’s focus must be on finding a way out of a nosedive which is now threatening their top-four spot.
Sixth and nine points behind leaders Liverpool, the fallen champions are in desperate need of an injection of confidence. That could come in the transfer window next month and it is inconceivable they will not strengthen.
Jack Grealish failed to make an impression at his former club, having joined City for £100m in 2021, Erling Haaland barely got a kick and only Rico Lewis and Stefan Ortega came out of the display in credit.
There appeared to be a lack of leadership on the pitch, perhaps down to confidence, and Guardiola is in unchartered territory during their struggles.
Rogers never made a senior appearance for Manchester City in the two years he spent at the Etihad.
He left for Middlesbrough in the summer of 2023 and 18 months later was given a standing ovation by the home fans at Villa Park when the winger was replaced late on against his former club.
The 22-year-old outshone the returning Grealish at Villa Park, setting up Duran before a strong run ended with him swapping passes with John McGinn to seal victory.
It is a testament to Unai Emery’s eye for a player and his ability to develop one that Rogers has made such an impact after joining from Boro in February, when there were question marks about his potential even at Riverside Stadium.
Rogers inspired a result which Villa desperately needed. While they have never dropped out of top-four contention their lack of consistency this season has made it much harder to see them as challengers.
Only goal difference separates them from Nottingham Forest in fourth and their position will undoubtedly strengthen Villa’s hand in next month’s transfer market.
