Manchester City’s flawless start to the Premier League campaign was halted by Aston Villa, exposing serious defensive frailties that have become a concern for manager Enzo Maresca. The 2‑1 loss at Villa Park, highlighted by Nicolas Jackson’s brace, left City with only one clean sheet in their last six matches and underscored the issues surrounding goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and centre‑back Marc Guehi.
From the beginning of last season, Donnarumma and Guehi have each been involved in three Premier League goals conceded, placing them among the eight players with the most errors leading to goals. City’s defensive record has fluctuated wildly: after a strong performance against Liverpool two weeks ago, the team has been vulnerable to a wide range of opponents, from Champions League champions Paris Saint‑Germain to struggling Sunderland. Maresca admitted the goals were avoidable, saying, “Both were absolutely avoidable. We created many chances but we need to be clinical and avoid mistakes like the two goals we conceded.” He also noted that sometimes luck is needed, but the team must improve their defensive execution.
Donnarumma’s arrival last summer was hailed as a coup, bringing a world‑class shot‑stopping and distribution skill set to replace Ederson. However, his comfort with the ball at his feet has been questioned, as he has often delivered risky passes that put teammates in trouble. The Italian’s performance against Villa was criticised by former City defender Steph Houghton, who said Donnarumma “could have done a little bit better, especially with the second goal.” Houghton praised Villa’s strategy of keeping possession and applying pressure, suggesting that City’s defensive plan was not fully effective.
Marc Guehi, signed for £20 million from Crystal Palace in January, has struggled to find consistency. His loose pass at Everton earlier in the season cost City a crucial point, and this year he has been involved in both goals conceded to Ipswich and Villa. Maresca has expressed no concern about Guehi’s form, stating that the defender has been playing every minute since the season began. He added that the team’s aggressive style can lead to yellow cards, but he is not worried about the impact on Guehi’s availability.
The defensive issues were compounded by the recent sale of James Trafford to Leeds for £45 million, a move that has left a gap in the backline. City’s defensive reshuffle saw Abdukodir Khusanov and Rico Lewis rotate between full‑back positions, but the lack of a settled partnership has made it difficult to maintain solidity. Maresca acknowledged the need to “find that balance” in defence before facing a tough test against Brighton, who have scored twice in the last two matches.
With the Premier League and Carabao Cup fixtures against Brighton looming, City must address these defensive leaks if they are to keep their title ambitions alive. The club’s early season form suggests that a more cohesive backline and improved distribution from the goalkeeper will be essential moving forward.