NEWS · 24 Oct 2026
Man City's leaky defence highlights Donnarumma & Guehi struggles
Manchester City's 100% winning start to the Premier League season comes to an abrupt end against Aston Villa, exposing defensive frailties that spotlight the struggles of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and defender Rayan Guehi. Villa's manager Enzo Maresca now faces the task of tightening his own backline.
Manchester City began the Premier League with a perfect record, but that streak was halted by a defeat to Aston Villa. The loss exposed cracks in the team's defensive setup, bringing the struggles of key players to the forefront.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and defender Rayan Guehi were singled out for underperformance, with their mistakes contributing to the team's vulnerability at the back.
The result has raised questions about City’s defensive solidity, as the club now faces the challenge of addressing these weaknesses before the next set of fixtures.
For Aston Villa, the victory leaves manager Enzo Maresca with a clear message: his own defensive line must be tightened if the team is to build on this success.
Looking ahead, City will need to reassess their backline and find a solution to the issues that cost them the win, while Villa looks to consolidate the gains from their hard‑earned triumph.