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By JEORGE BIRD Published: 03: 29 AEDT, 22 December 2024 | Updated: 04: 13 AEDT, 22 December 2024 13 View comments Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed what he feels the key issues are with his team following their latest defeat. City were beaten 2-1 away by Aston Villa, with Guardiola's side continuing to struggle. There has been much speculation about what has gone wrong with City, who have from title winners to a team sorely lacking in cohesion. Guardiola will believe that he will be able to turn City's fortunes around, but there is much work for him to do if he is to achieve that objective. Following their latest setback, City are in sixth place in the Premier League and are nine points behind leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand.   City have already suffered six Premier League defeats this season, with Guardiola's team looking like a shadow of their former selves. Pep Guardiola has revealed what he feels are the key issues for his Manchester City team Guardiola's side fell to another defeat on Saturday as they were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa Asked about the specific problems his team are facing, Guardiola told TNT Sports: 'We struggle to score and we concede goals. ' Guardiola said: 'We make a really good first half, we still have problems with the mistake. Second half we dropped, we changed a little bit our pressing for the reason John (Stones) could not continue and we were not as good as the first half. Congratulate Aston Villa and keep going. ' Guardiola confirmed that John Stones had suffered a recurrence of his previous injury, with the defender having been replaced by Kyle Walker at the start of the second half. Commenting on where his team struggled, Guardiola said: 'Our build up was comfortable but in the middle they are so strong. They follow really good the pockets, the physicality with Onana and Kamara. We could link inside. We had good moments, not big chances. We had more chances than the United game for example, but the second half we dropped. 'Our pressing was not effective in our right side and we struggled a little bit. After we could not drop them well. We found a goal at the end but it was too late. ' Phil Foden has been one of many City players to have endured difficulties this season. However, Guardiola has been encouraged by Foden's recent performances, with the England international scoring his first Premier League goal of the season in the closing stages against Villa.   'The last one or two games Phil's better. Most of the players have problems and struggle. Things that happened in the past in terms of form and performance, sometimes the next season is not the same because the people change and the situation changes. '  Guardiola stated that Phil Foden's recent performances for City are a sign of encouragement Guardiola added that it is important for him to back his players as he looks to ensure that they can get out of their difficult situation. City will host Everton on Boxing Day, with an away game against Leicester to follow on December 29. There will be much focus on whether Guardiola will be able to improve City's situation and get them back to their best. Despite City's struggles, Guardiola appears determined to do his best to help his team get better.   Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group