Man City's title credentials under scrutiny as Erling Haaland's goal run ends

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As is the way in modern football, it does not have to be a goal to provoke scenes of raucous celebration.

A standard tackle by a touchline can get you a fist-bump nowadays. But Pau Torres deserved all the emotional congratulations that came his way when he somehow diverted Savinho’s goal-bound strike over his own crossbar midway through the second half.

And that one piece of defending symbolised an Aston Villa performance that put talk of Manchester City’s rejuvenation into context.

This still does not look like a City team that will be going toe-to-toe with title contenders this season.

And, of course, this defeat highlighted what has become blindingly obvious. If Erling Haaland does not find the net - this blank brought his scoring streak to an end at 12 matches - then City appear to have precious few alternative threats.

Which, for a club that has spent this much money on players, is quite the indictment.

Haaland had a tame header collected by Emiliano Martinez and wasted a one-on-one opportunity but that was about it.

Keep Haaland quiet, as the likes of Torres did, and you have won a big portion of the battle against City.

And for all the indications of improvement, City remain a defensive accident waiting to happen, although there were elements of misfortune about their first concession.

Firstly, Michael Oliver took an age to decide Matheus Nunes had given away a corner-kick when he was clearly fouled by Lucas Digne and, secondly, Matty Cash’s strike took a decisive deflection off Haaland.

To add insult to injury, Haaland then produced an alarmingly weak finish when only having Martinez to beat.

But as well their vulnerability at the back, Guardiola must have been concerned with how pedestrian his team seemed.

After a mildly encouraging start, there was a predictability about their passing sequences that Villa found comfortable to read.

It goes without saying City miss the creativity of Kevin de Bruyne and his eye for the game-changing ball but there was precious little deviation from the routine pass.

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And this was a Villa team that was hard to break down and was mightily impressive in defence, not to mention on the counter-attack.

With Morgan Rogers outstanding, they could have won more convincingly.

They had the odd close shave - the fantastic Torres clearance being one example and a Ross Barkley block being another - but there was never any panic in Villa ranks.

And Haaland’s afternoon was summed up when he bundled in an Omar Marmoush pass, only to collide painfully with the upright and then look up to see the assistant referee correctly telling Oliver that the provider had been fractionally offside.

For the remaining few minutes, Haaland had to limp around the field, with Guardiola having used all five of his substitutes.

When Oliver called time, Villa Park rejoiced with appropriate gusto while Haaland trudged over to the stragglers in the visiting section to offer thanks before hobbling towards the tunnel.

If he does miss games, City will have to find a way of winning games and scoring goals without him.

But even if he does not miss games, that is exactly what City will have to do anyway.

Because one man cannot win you the title.