Pep’s farewell to Fernandinho
Check out Pep Guardiola’s pre match press conference ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa. City could be crowned champions this weekend and Pep paid homage to a great of the club Fernandinho who will be leaving Manchester this summer.
Manchester City vs Aston Villa: Line-ups
Manchester City
Aston Villa
Difficult to see City Lose
#1
Regardless of what happens during Liverpool’s meeting with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield, victory for Man City would see them lift the Premier League trophy for the sixth time in 11 seasons, and a draw would also suffice if Jurgen Klopp’s side slip up.
#2
Guardiola will certainly not set his side up to draw, though, especially with City now finding the back of the net at least twice in their last eight Premier League matches, and their unbeaten run in the top flight now stands at 11 games.
#3
The Citizens have also eased to three consecutive home wins over Brighton & Hove Albion, Watford and Newcastle United in the past few weeks – scoring 13 goals and conceding just one – and Guardiola’s 100% record of five wins from five on the final day is also on the line here.
#4
Failing to keep a clean sheet in four successive matches does not bode well for Villa – who have lost each of their last 11 league games on Man City’s turf – before a trip to the Etihad, while a paltry tally of two wins from their last 10 games in the Premier League can certainly be described as ending the season with a whimper.
#5
Gerrard has all the motivation that he needs to try to get a result this weekend, but not since January 2000 have Villa won a Premier League match away from home to the league leaders – doing so at Leeds United – and continuing their recent spate of goal-laden home performances would be a fitting way for City to clinch the domestic crown.
DPP Verdict
The potential and unexpectedly quick returns of Stones and Walker are gold dust for City, whose attacking capabilities are never called into question before they meet a leaky and depleted Aston Villa defence. With a top-half finish surely now only a pipe dream, Villa realistically have nothing but pride on the line this week, and a customary Etihad thumping should await the out-of-form Lions as City lift the trophy aloft in front of their ardent fans.
