Man City have gained advantage but also face new hurdle after Aston Villa defeat

A lot has been made of Manchester City’s four-game winless run but, as always, context matters.

Chelsea drew with Liverpool and Arsenal at home before the emphatic 4-4 draw and Mauricio Pochettino remains unbeaten at Stamford Bridge against the big six so far. City knew better than to switch off against Liverpool while the 3-all draw with in-form Tottenham was avoidable.

Aston Villa - now third - are imperious at Villa Park under Unai Emery and a midweek clash under the lights was always going to be a tricky test, never mind having to face them without the suspended Rodri and injured Jeremy Doku.

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Perhaps aside from the latest outing, City have controlled all other games and only have themselves to blame for not churning out the win. They have not been dominated, and even Jurgen Klopp has said it would be the “biggest joke” to write City out of the title race.

The Blues have a festive Premier League fixture sequence that could easily see them make up their six-point gap to the Gunners, whose last-gasp winners look more relief-inducing than chest-beating.

For the rest of December, City do not face a top seven club. They face only one - Newcastle - in their next six league fixtures. Of course, three points from four games is not ideal and Pep Guardiola has shouldered the responsibility.

But now that the clash against the impressive Villa is out of the way, City have a tasty run and are at an advantage over their rivals by not facing any of the European chasing clubs. City play Luton away, Crystal Palace at home, Everton away and Sheffield United at home to wrap up an