LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Crisis-hit Manchester City slumped to an unthinkable ninth defeat in 12 matches at Aston Villa on Saturday as Arsenal dismantled Crystal Palace 5-1 to reignite their English Premier League title charge.

Nottingham Forest stormed Brentford’s fortress to briefly climb to third in the table and Alexander Isak scored his first hat-trick in the English top flight as Newcastle ran riot at Ipswich.

City boss Pep Guardiola, in the worst spell of his managerial career, made multiple changes following last week’s painful derby defeat to Manchester United, but it was to no avail as his injury-hit side lost 2-1.

Jhon Duran scored his seventh Premier League goal of the season to put Villa ahead in the 16th minute and Morgan Rogers doubled the advantage for the home side in the 65th minute.

Phil Foden scored his first top-flight goal of the season in stoppage time but it proved too little too late for the flailing champions, whose spark has vanished.

City have now lost six Premier League games in the current campaign, twice as many as they suffered during the whole of last season when they were crowned champions for the fourth time in a row.

Guardiola said he trusted his players to turn things around despite their shocking run of just one win from their past 12 games in all competitions.

“We have to think positive and I have incredible trust in the guys,” he told the
BBC. “Some of them have incredible pride and desire to do it. We have to find a way, step by step, sooner or later to find a way back.”

Later in the day, a bullish Mikel Arteta said Arsenal, who have not won the Premier League title since 2004, are now firmly in the title picture after his team’s thumping win at Selhurst Park.

Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick against Palace in the League Cup on Wednesday, scored two more against the same opponents and there were also goals for Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and substitute Declan Rice.

The third-placed Gunners are just three points behind Liverpool, who are in action at Tottenham on Sunday, but Arne Slot’s men have played two games fewer. Chelsea are in second spot.

At one stage earlier this month Liverpool had a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

“We are not even halfway so we’re going to try and set something. For us it’s on,” Arteta told
Sky Sports.

“I’m going to enjoy Christmas with my family because when you win it’s always better,” added the Spaniard, whose side have finished as Premier League runners-up for the past two seasons.

Forest won their third consecutive Premier League match to keep up their push for European football, condemning Brentford to their first home defeat this season.

Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola (left) and midfielder Phil Foden leave the field disappointed after their 2-1 loss to hosts Aston Villa in the English Premier League at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, on Saturday. (AFP)