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Why Manchester City are fast shaping up as genuine title contenders once again
At times last season it was easy to forget that Manchester City had been crowned Premier League champions in six of the previous seven campaigns.
By their lofty standards, Pep Guardiola’s men fell some way short last term as they surrendered the title they had won in the past four years to set a new English football record.
Now, though, City are showing some welcome signs of their old selves and, as DAZN News explains, they head to Aston Villa on Sunday with the scent of another title.
Blues are moving through the gears
City wobbled in the opening month of the Premier League season, losing two of their first three games.
That led to some pundits writing off their chances of retaining the title.
But since destroying Manchester United 3-0 at home on September 14, Guardiola’s side has proved largely unstoppable.
They have embarked on an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions and, ominously, they lie just three points behind leaders Arsenal .
Much has been made of the Gunners’ fine form in recent weeks, but do not underestimate how hot City are running right now.
They head to Villa Park having not conceded a goal in their last three games.
Do not overlook that either.
(C)Getty Images
An immovable object between the posts
Gianluigi Donnarumma is proving a hugely influential presence on City’s side since arriving this summer from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee approaching £30million.
At 6ft 5in, the Italian is a giant of a man, and he has quickly acclimatised to life in the Premier League .
Not only are his shot-stopping skills exceptional, he has the ability to play long balls which can get City on the attack.
Donnarumma claimed the Yashin Trophy at the recent Ballon d’Or ceremony because of his goal-denying heroics in helping PSG win a treble, including the Champions League, last season.
Now he is eyeing more silverware with Guardiola’s men.
Renaissance man John Stones proving his worth
At 31, the Yorkshireman is approaching the twilight of his career but his class continues to endure.
Stones has regained his place in the City and England team and he remains one of the most respected figures in Guardiola’s squad.
Stones showed his quality with a typically accomplished display alongside Ruben Diaz during Tuesday’s impressive 2-0 win at Villarreal in the Champions League .
There is plenty of depth in City’s squad – a quick glance at their bench in midweek was proof enough.
Stellar names such as Nico O’Reilly, Phil Foden, Omar Marmoush, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Oscar Bobb, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki were all named as substitutes.
Stones, meanwhile, is out of contract in the summer but is certainly giving Guardiola plenty to think about.
(Getty Images)
The goal machine who cannot stop scoring
Erling Haaland is in the form of his life, having scored 24 goals in 14 appearances for club and country this season.
The Norway striker, 25, has netted in his last 12 games and Aston Villa will certainly be wary of his threat on Sunday afternoon.
This week, Haaland shared some of the factors behind his success in the first video posted to his newly-launched YouTube channel, @erling.
A 27-minute film follows Haaland in a typical day, from cooking his breakfast in the morning through to a physiotherapy session, training with City and then preparing his evening meal.
“I have natural good flexibility in my groin and my hips which, for me, is so important to keep, because how do you score these goals?” says Haaland, raising his leg to reference some of his more acrobatic efforts, whilst receiving some massage treatment.
“You need to have good mobility or flexibility to score these crazy goals. This is really important.”
The only concern for City and Guardiola is that they have become too reliant on Haaland's goals.
Getty Images
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