Pep Guardiola admits he needs to adapt his plans to get Manchester City’s season back on track after his side sliped to fourth in the table following Aston Villa defeat

Pep Guardiola admits he needs to change course to set Manchester City’s season right again following a chastening defeat by Aston Villa.

The Treble winners were outplayed in every aspect by Unai Emery’s team as Leon Bailey’s second-half strike gave Emery his first win over Guardiola in 14 attempts.

City were without suspended midfielder Rodri and their performance dipped well below usual levels though Guardiola refused to blame the result on the Spain star’s absence.

He said: ‘It’s my duty, my job to find a way to [redress] the situation because over many years together we were able to find a way to play games and now we are struggling. We have to change the dynamic, winning as soon as possible against Luton and Crystal Palace.

‘I have to think about it. The dynamic changes by winning games but to win games we have to reflect on what we have to do with the players that we have.

City lost 1-0 to Aston Villa on Wednesday night as they slipped to fourth in the Premier League

Rodri (pictured) was missing from City’s team but Guardiola refused to blame his absence for the defeat

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‘It was really difficult because they are really physical and able to control many aspects. That is the reason why they are up there, playing good football and we could not do it. We have to accept when a team is better and recognise.’

Villa’s win lifted them above City into third, four short of leaders Arsenal who visit Villa Park on Saturday. Asked whether Villa could stay in the race until the end, Guardiola added: ‘Yes, definitely.’

Emery planned meticulously for this match and his tactics paid off brilliantly as he urged Bailey to stay wide in order to expose a weakness on the left side of the City defence.

The Basque said: ‘There are seven teams who are stronger contenders than us. We have played 15 games and the 16th will be against Arsenal. We are happy to be third but to keep that position will be very difficult. We can believe but we are not contenders.

‘I like to prepare for matches against the best coaches and when you are playing at a high level, you get these chances. Beating Pep Guardiola for the first time is part of a process I am following as a coach.’

Villa boss Unai Emery said there are still seven teams who are stronger contenders for the title