Pep Guardiola believes Manchester Metropolis’s upcoming Premier League conflict with Aston Villa is “like a remaining” as they intention to safe Champions League soccer subsequent season.
After successful the final 4 league titles throughout an unprecedented spell of home dominance, Metropolis’s purpose this time period is to earn a spot again at European soccer’s prime desk.
The Residents sit fourth within the standings with 5 video games remaining, whereas Villa are seventh, however only a level behind Tuesday’s opponents with a number of groups within the combine.
Guardiola acknowledged the issue his facet will face on the Etihad Stadium, and lauded Villa for his or her show of their Champions League second-leg loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
“They’re a contender to qualify for the Champions League,” mentioned Guardiola. “You see the sport they performed in opposition to my pal Luis Enrique [PSG boss] – wow, I used to be actually, actually impressed.
“They will play low block and play away, however after they determine to go, with the weapons they’ve, the pace they’ve, the set-pieces, they’re extremely well-organised.
“It’s a remaining and we want our folks as a result of I feel our folks need the Champions League once more subsequent season, and hopefully they might help us from the primary minute.
“Generally we’re sloppy, typically we’re not enjoying effectively, now we want them desperately to help us, to make noise and be there on a regular basis, as a result of it’s completely a remaining for us.”
Villa, in the meantime, can be trying to construct on their 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle United final day out, a outcome that has them proper again within the European hunt.
Unai Emery additionally had some optimistic phrases for his reverse quantity, however mentioned his workforce are relishing the chance in opposition to final season’s champions.
“We will’t cease,” Emery mentioned. “We’re concerned in our key second within the season. By way of the Premier League, we are attempting to get our first goal in 38 matches.
“Tomorrow is day 34 in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, one of many groups contending to be within the prime 4 or prime 5. They wish to win the title, however this yr has been harder for them.
“My respect for them is huge, as all the time. We’re prepared. Each participant and each employee right here in Aston Villa is so, so centered within the second we’re in.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester Metropolis – Omar Marmoush
Whereas Marmoush continues to be ready for his first away purpose within the Premier League this season, he has discovered consolation on the Etihad Stadium since his January swap from Eintracht Frankfurt.
He has scored six objectives in his six residence top-flight appearances for Metropolis to date, scoring each 81 minutes, whereas throughout his final 17 residence league outings, together with his time with Frankfurt, he has 14 objectives and 6 assists.
Aston Villa – Ollie Watkins
In distinction, Watkins has had a hand in 48 away Premier League objectives in 88 appearances (34 objectives, 14 assists), together with 5 in his final seven (4 objectives, one help).
Solely Gabriel Agbonlahor has reached 50 or extra objectives and assists away from residence for Villa (40 objectives, 19 assists).
MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER CITY WIN
Metropolis have received their final 14 Premier League residence video games in opposition to Villa, scoring not less than twice in every of the final 13. Their final defeat was in April 2007 beneath Stuart Pearce.
The Residents have additionally received every of their final 9 residence Premier League matches in April by an combination rating of 35-8. The final facet to beat Metropolis on the Etihad on this month was Leeds United in a 2-1 win again in 2021.
Throughout their 14 consecutive residence Premier League wins in opposition to Villa, Metropolis have trailed in simply two video games, going 1-0 down in Could 2010 and 2-0 down in Could 2022 earlier than successful 3-1 and 3-2 respectively. In Premier League historical past, solely the Residents themselves in opposition to Newcastle United (an ongoing run of 16) have received extra consecutive residence video games in opposition to an opponent.
However the Etihad shouldn’t be the fortress it as soon as was. Guardiola’s workforce have conceded 21 residence Premier League objectives this season, their most in a season because the 2015-16 marketing campaign (additionally 21). They final conceded extra on residence soil in a season again in 2003-04 (24).
Villa, in the meantime, have received two of their final three league video games in opposition to Man Metropolis, as many as of their earlier 23. They’re additionally trying to full their first league double over the Residents since 1962-63.
The Villans have received their final three away Premier League matches, conserving a clear sheet in every. Their last more away successful run was between November and February 2008-09 (seven), whereas they’ve by no means received 4 in a row with out conceding within the top-flight.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Manchester Metropolis – 50%
Draw – 23.1%
Aston Villa – 26.8%