Pep Guardiola insists his Manchester City players are “trying harder than ever” to stop their remarkable slump.

The four-time defending Premier League champions have won just one of their last 12 games in all competitions and enter Christmas in seventh place, nine points behind Liverpool with two more games to play.

City were poor at Aston Villa on Saturday, losing 2-1 and giving a lackluster performance.

But Guardiola says his recent woes are not due to a lack of commitment.

PEP 💬 It’s about the many small details or some big details that make us not as good as we are. But on Boxing Day we have another chance. We have players coming back and at some point we will get better. pic.twitter.com/BCoBfTZuSK

— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 24, 2024

Speaking ahead of the Boxing Day clash with Everton, he said: “The lads are running and trying harder than ever. It is many small details or big details that together make (us) not as good as we are.

“But on Boxing Day we have another chance to give the players time to try and win back and we’ll definitely be better in time.”

No Stones against Everton

City have not been helped by a long injury list that now includes John Stones after the half-time withdrawal at Villa Park.

Stones misses the chance to face his former club, who are slowly heading in the right direction thanks to a defensive improvement that has seen them keep clean sheets in seven of their last 10 games.

Everton have not beaten City since 2017 but Guardiola is wary of Sean Dyche’s men.

“In this situation, there is no absolute opposite,” he added.

“It is about us getting back to our best. It will take time. We have to get a result as quickly as possible. We are facing Everton and they are in a good moment, their results and performances show that.