Pep Guardiola believes that the upcoming Premier League collision of Manchester City with Aston Villa is “as a final” because they strive for Champions League football next season.
After winning the last four league titles during an unprecedented enchantment of domestic dominance, the aim of the city is this time to earn a place back at the top table of European football.
The citizens are fourth in the rankings with five more games, while Villa is seventh, but only one point behind Tuesday's opponents with different teams in the mix.
Guardiola acknowledged the difficulty with which his side will be confronted in the Etihad Stadium, and Villa praised for their display in their Champions League loss of the second legs for Paris Saint-Germain.
“They are a competition to be eligible for the Champions League,” said Guardiola. “You see the game they played against my friend Luis Enrique [PSG boss] – Wow, I was really, really impressed.
“They can play a low block and play away, but when they decide to go, with the weapons they have, the speed they have, the set pieces, they are incredibly well organized.
“It is a final and we need our people because I think our people want the Champions League again next season, and hopefully they can help us from the first minute.
“Sometimes we are sloppy, sometimes we are not playing well, now we desperately need them to support, make noise and always be there, because it is definitely a final for us.”
In the meantime, Villa will want to build on their 4-1 Thrashing or Newcastle United previous time-out, a result that she immediately has back in the European yacht.
Unai Emery also had some positive words for his opposite song, but said that his team enjoys the chance against last season's champions.
“We can't stop,” said Emery. “We are involved in our most important moment in the season. Through the Premier League we try to get our first goal in 38 games.
“Tomorrow is day 34 against Manchester City, one of the teams that are fighting to be in the top four or top five. They want to win the title, but this year it has been more difficult for them.
“My respect for them is huge, as always. We are ready. Every player and every employee here in Aston Villa is so focused when we are.”
Players to watch
Manchester City – Omar Marmoush
While Marmoush is still waiting for his first road in the Premier League this season, he has found comfort in the Etihad Stadium since his switch from Eintracht Frankfurt in January.
He has scored six goals in his six toppers on top of the city so far and scored every 81 minutes, while his last 17 home images, including his time at Frankfurt, has 14 goals and six assists.
Aston Villa – Ollie Watkins
Watkins, on the other hand, had a hand in 48 away Premier League goals in 88 performances (34 goals, 14 assists), including five in his last seven (four goals, one assist).
Only Gabriel Agbonlaor has achieved 50 or more goals and helps away from home for Villa (40 goals, 19 assists).
Match forecast: Profit from Manchester City
City has won their last 14 Premier League matches against Villa and scored at least twice in each of the last 13. Their last defeat was under Stuart Pearce in April 2007.
The citizens also won each of their last nine Home Premier League matches in April with a total score of 35-8. The last side to beat City in the Etihad in this month was Leeds United in a 2-1 win in 2021.
About their 14 consecutive home Premier League victories against Villa, City followed in just two games, with 1-0 down in May 2010 and 2-0 in May 2022 before he won 3-1 and 3-2 respectively. In the history of Premier League, only the citizens themselves against Newcastle United (a running run of 16) have won more consecutive home games against an opponent.
But the Etihad is not the fort it once was. The Guardiola team has admitted 21 Home Premier League goals this season, their most in a season since the 2015-16 campaign (also 21). They last gave in more to the home floor in a season in 2003-04 (24).
In the meantime, Villa has won two of their last three league matches against Man City, just like in their previous 23. They also want to complete their first competition double above the citizens since 1962-63.
The Villans have won their last three away Premier League matches, with a clean slate in each. Their last longer-winning run was between November and February 2008-09 (seven), while they have never won four in a row without giving up in the top.
Opta wins probability
Manchester City – 50%
Drawing – 23.1%
Aston Villa – 26.8%