Man City defender John Stones injured in loss to Aston Villa

By The Associated Press

Manchester City's John Stones, left, runs during the warm up before the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Manchester City, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Rui Vieira]

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Center back John Stones has sustained a fresh injury setback in Manchester City’s 2-1 loss to Aston Villa in the Premier League. The England player was substituted at halftime on Saturday after his first start in a month due to a foot issue. That injury flared up again, City manager Pep Guardiola says. Guardiola has cited injuries as a factor in the four-time defending Premier League champion’s alarming slump. City has lost nine of its last 12 games in all competitions.