Gundogan passing all tests to be Pep’s No 6
Terrific defending to stop a promising Villa counter in second half, but not much to see in an attacking capacity.
Sloppy pass handed Villa their best chance, but redeemed himself with a great block and some sharp defending.
In his 200th league game, two bookings for tactical fouls saw a red card, but no real harm done.
Only fourth time he has played three consecutive matches, and he still looks stronger in the opposition half!
Couple of brilliant defensive interventions to add to his usual game of dictating the flow of the match.
Wicked cross turned into a goal. He was here, there and everywhere without ever truly hitting top gear.
Should have scored in the first half, but he was always the man most likely to unlock a tight Villa defence.
The magic is not flowing like it did last season, but he still works astoundingly hard and makes a sound contribution.
Scored in previous seven starts but had to be content with an important assist this time after a typical hard-working shift.
Now has 13 goals in 14 games for the Blues, and his cute finish spoke of his confidence in front of goal these days.
ANGELINO: (Mendy 73) Nice cameo. 7 PHIL FODEN: (De Bruyne 76) Can do no wrong. 7 SERGIO AGUERO: (Sterling 76) Needs smaller shorts! 6
NOT USED: Bravo, Walker, Otamendi, Mahrez
WHEN Ilkay Gundogan did a Twitter Q&A with City fans in August he gave an insight into how his role at the club had changed – and also how much he was enjoying it.
For most of last season it looked like the Germany midfielder’s Blues career was in its final chapter. His contract was due to expire at the end of 2019/20 season and he couldn’t force his way into the side.
He started just 16 of City’s first 38 games of last season and only 10 of those came in the Premier League. He looked to be a peripheral figure, desperate to play in his best role as a more attacking midfielder, a No.8 in
City’s system, and as a result he was happy to consider his future at the club. A parting of the ways in the summer looked increasingly likely.
But then things changed. City lost at Newcastle in the Premier League and Pep Guardiola was furious at the way his side had stopped playing. After that he turned to Gundogan, the midfield metronome that keeps the Blues on the front foot, and he’s rarely stopped playing him since.
The Blues have played another 38 games since that defeat at St James’ Park. Gundogan has started 31 of them and he’s now one of the most important cogs in this well-oiled machine. His new contract is signed and he’s enjoying his football again.
He’s not doing it in that favoured position, however. Yes, Gundogan still occasionally plays as a No.8, but primarily he has become a No.6, the defensive midfielder in Guardiola’s system.
It’s the Fernandinho role that for so long proved problematic when the Brazilian wasn’t available. But he missed most of the run-in last season and Gundogan stepped up to the plate. The addition of Rodri this summer has allowed Fernandinho to move into the heart of defence, but Rodri has competition on his hands for the deepest midfield role.
He’s often had Gundogan alongside him during his introduction to English football. Now that the Spaniard has suffered a hamstring injury it looks like the former Borussia Dortmund man will make that spot in the side his own once again.
It’s a role he’s gradually got used to under Guardiola. During that Q&A he was asked for his favourite position.
“It has always been playing as No.8 for many, many years,” he revealed on Twitter. “But I’ve really enjoyed playing as No.6 in the last weeks of the last season. Maybe these matches have been the best ones for Man City so far. “I’m really not sure anymore, what do you think guys?” After another midfield masterclass in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa, there can’t be many who think Gundogan isn’t the perfect No.6 for Pep.
He is particularly influential for City in games such as this, when the Blues are on the front foot.
That gives him time on the ball in that position to get his head up and pick a pass. While his defensive game isn’t as polished as Fernandinho’s, he offers more in an attacking sense.
That was noticeable against Atalanta with his perfectly weighted through ball for Raheem Sterling and he produced a similar pass early on against Villa to send the England man scampering clear down the left.
That was one of 102 passes Gundogan made in the game, 36 more than any other player on the pitch, with 93 per cent of those finding their target.
This isn’t someone passing for passings sake either. So many of that