Manchester City’s Premier League game against Aston Villa by Pep Guardiola has been called “final” because the Champions League qualifiers are on the line.
Five key players in the Premier League next season for the Champions League and Arsenal giants will be in a strong position to sign Liverpool, with an attractive competition and the next five clubs have been separated on two points.
With five games left, City are fourth in the table at the Etihad Stadium, while Villa Onai Emery is seventh, but walks with just one point.
Villa advanced more than City – which fell to the quarter-finals – in the Champions League this season, reached the quarter-finals before being sacked by Paris Saint-Germain.
“They are nominated to win the Champions League,” Guardiola said. “You see the game against my friend Luis Enrique (PSG Boss) – WAW, really, I was really impressed.
“You can play low bloc and play, but when they decide to go, with their weapons, the speed they have, sets, are well organized.
“It’s the final and we need our people because I think our people want the Champions League next season and I hope you can help us from the first minute,” he said.
“Sometimes we’re shalt, sometimes we don’t play well. Now we need them with despair to support us, to make noise and continue to be there, because it’s the end for us.
City and Villa will also be able to meet in May in May if they advance in their semi-finals – against Nottingam Forest and Crystal Palace – at Wembley at the end of the week.