Erling Haaland has opened up on Pep Guardiola after Manchester City crashed to a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Goals from Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers gave Unai Emery’s side all three points, with Phil Foden netting a late consolation for the visitors.


City have now won just one of their last 12 matches across all competitions, with Guardiola facing scrutiny as a result.

He retains the support of his players, however, with Haaland convinced that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss can turn things around.

Erling Haaland Man City Aston Villa

Erling Haaland has opened up on Pep Guardiola after Manchester City crashed to a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday

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“He won the Premier League six times in seven years, so we will never forget that,” he told TNT Sports.

“He will find the solutions. He has been doing that every single year.

“We still believe in him, we have to work harder than ever right now.”

Guardiola and Haaland could be seen talking in the tunnel at full time. The City star, when quizzed on what words were exchanged, added: “It’s the small details, I don’t remember right now.

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“I’m thinking we just lost a game, another one.

“I don’t remember but it was probably some small instructions to do things better.”

Just months ago, City were the favourites to win the Premier League title – having secured glory in the competition for the past four years.

But their collapse has been huge, with Guardiola’s team currently a shadow of their usual selves.

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Haaland’s own form has suffered, with the ex-Borussia Dortmund and Red Bull Salzburg star on the fringes of the action on Saturday.

And he’s adamant that standards must improve if City are to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible.

“Of course we are disappointed, it’s not good enough. It’s not good enough from me,” he admitted.

“They’re good players, it’s difficult to come here but we’re Man City we should be out there.

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Erling Haaland Man City Aston Villa

Erling Haaland was frustrated after Man City lost to Aston Villa on Saturday

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“We have to continue, we have to believe and we have to keep working hard.

“We have to continue. First I’m looking at myself, I haven’t been doing things good enough, I haven’t been scoring my chances.

“I have to do better, I haven’t been good enough.”

While it was a poor day for City, it was another memorable afternoon for Villa and everybody associated with the club.

Man City Aston Villa

Man City were outplayed by Aston Villa during Saturday’s Premier League clash

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They’re now up to fifth in the Premier League table and are only behind fourth-placed Nottingham Forest on goal difference.

As for City, they’re now down to sixth – nine points behind Liverpool at the top of the table, having played two matches more.