Manchester City may be facing a challenging season, but the team managed to enjoy some festive cheer at their annual Christmas party. Following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, which left City in sixth place in the Premier League and nine points behind leaders Liverpool, the players gathered to celebrate.

Despite a troubling run of just one win in their last 12 matches, key players like Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Ilkay Gundogan were seen enjoying the festivities alongside their partners, sharing black-and-white photos on Instagram. Gundogan and his wife Sara joined Silva and his wife Ines Degener Tomaz in the photo booth, while De Bruyne captured a romantic moment with his wife, Michele Lacroix.

As they look ahead to their upcoming games—hosting Everton on Boxing Day and traveling to Leicester on December 29—the players remain hopeful for a turnaround in form.

Pep Guardiola has been vocal about the need for improvement within the team, defending Erling Haaland amid criticism. Haaland, who has scored 108 goals for City since joining in 2022, has struggled recently, failing to find the net in five of his last six outings. After the defeat, he acknowledged, “I have to do better; I haven’t been good enough.”

Guardiola emphasized that the team’s struggles are not solely attributable to one player. “It’s about us, not just one player,” he stated, highlighting the importance of teamwork. He expressed confidence in Haaland’s contributions, insisting that the team must work together to create better opportunities for him.

As City aims to regain their form, Guardiola’s focus remains on collective improvement rather than individual blame, underscoring the importance of unity in overcoming their current challenges.