Don't draw conclusions from Villa setback, says Bernardo | OneFootball

Bernardo Silva believes that conclusions should not be made yet about City's title credentials following the slender 1-0 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa.

Matty Cash's 19th minute strike proved to be the difference at Villa Park as we tasted defeat for the first time in 10 matches across all competitions.

We had chances to equalise, but Erling Haaland was twice denied by Emiliano Martinez, before Savinho's effort was spectacularly cleared off the line by Pau Torres. Haaland also saw a late goal chalked off for offside.

The defeat means we fall six points behind league-leaders Arsenal after nine matches, but Club captain Bernardo believes it is too early in the campaign to make conclusions about the title race.

"It's still a long way to go," he said. "I don't want to draw too many conclusions.

"We would love to be at the top but we're not. It's way too early to draw conclusions.

"I would say we played quite well with the ball. Our offensive concepts are really good. Even if we didn't score we had chances. We made them defend deep and they struggled in some moments. On the other side of the game we were really bad defensively.

"Obviously they are a very good team, this is a Champions League team, a team with a lot of quality players. But we have to look at ourselves."

Pep Guardiola's men made the brighter start at Villa Park and had chances to level, and when quizzed about what he thought went wrong during the defeat, Bernardo had one clear reason in mind.

"Our pressing was really bad, it felt like we arrived two seconds late to every duel," he declared.

"That was the feeling even though our offensive concepts were quite good, but if the pressing is not good you allow the game to be a transitional game.

"When our pressing is not good our team does not play well."