Man City have lost all four games this season Rodri has missed Credit: AFP

Rodri picked up his fifth booking of the season during City’s 3-3 draw with Tottenham, meaning John Stones took his place at Villa Park.

Man City fell to defeat, with Leon Bailey’s deflected second-half strike earning his side a 14th consecutive victory at home.

That defeat to Aston Villa has certainly showed how vital Rodri is to Pep Guardiola’s side.

The midfielder has missed four games this campaign, all of which City have gone on to lose, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Wolves, losing 1-0 to Arsenal, and now Villa by the same scoreline in the Premier League.

City were also dumped out of the Carabao Cup when he was absent, losing 1-0 to Newcastle back in September.

Guardiola’s side have been victorious whenever he has played this term, winning nine and drawing three Premier League clashes.

In fact, the only game they have won without the Spaniard is away to Young Boys in the group stages of this season’s Champions League.

His stunning record isn’t limited to this season though, with Rodri undefeated in his last Man City 43 outings, winning 33 and drawing the other ten.

Rodri is a vital cog in the Man City machineCredit: Getty

His last loss in Sky Blue did in fact come back in February, as he and his teammates fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham.

Having joined Man City from Atletico Madrid in 2019, he continues to be a vital part of Guardiola’s project at the Etihad Stadium.

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Of the 150 Premier League clashes Rodri has featured in, City have won 110 and lost just 19.

When he has not been available, his side has managed just nine victories and suffered seven losses in 17 games.

Guardiola, whose side are six points behind leaders Arsenal in the league, admitted his team is ‘struggling’ and highlighted the importance of his player.

“Rodri is an important player of course but when he is not there we have to find a way to win without him,” he said.

“We are six points [off the top] and we would prefer to be top of the league but we made three draws and then lose today.

“In previous years we have found a way to win games but we struggled a bit and we have to find a way.

Guardiola says his side must find a way to win without RodriCredit: AFP

“It is my job to find a solution. The dynamic changes by winning games. When a team is better than you, you have to recognise it.

“After the deflection, we have scored four or five goals with deflections so it is what it is and w