Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has had numerous issues to deal with this season, but discipline hasn’t been one. City have received 33 bookings in 16 Premier League matches so far which means they are one of the best behaved teams across the entire division.
Though they have received a red card, albeit in somewhat harsh circumstances when Rico Lewis was given his marching orders for two bookable offences in the 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace. That saw the versatile defender sit out last weekend’s Manchester derby as City’s crisis deepened.
Despite leading going into the final five minutes, Guardiola’s side contrived to lose the game as Manchester United struck twice in as many minutes to snatch all three points and take the derby bragging rights. With just one win in seven league games - 11 across all competitions - it is turning out to be a disappointing Premier League title defence for City.
In a bid to arrest his side’s poor run of form, Guardiola will be hopeful that his defensive injury crisis eases over the festive period but there are doubts over Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake ahead of Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa. Taking into account City are in action three times in eight days, the Spaniard will also hope he doesn't have to deal with any suspensions during such a hectic period.
