Aston Villa clash 'like a final', says Guardiola

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has issued a rallying cry to supporters ahead of his side's vital Premier League match at home to Aston Villa on Tuesday night.

City goes into the game fourth in the table with 58 points following Saturday's nervy 2-0 win away to Everton, but Villa sits just a point behind on 57, the same as Chelsea and Nottingham Forest (who plays Tottenham on Monday).

The Premier League is assured five Champions League places next season, but even so, someone is going to miss out on playing the competition and the important payday that it provides.

Marcus Rashford (Top R) of Aston Villa competes during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 match between Club Brugge and Aston Villa FC at the Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges, on March 4, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

Speaking to the press on Monday, Guardiola was in no doubt over how important Tuesday's match is.

"Every point, every game counts," said Guardiola, who asked for the supporters to get behind his players.

"Sometimes we are sloppy, sometimes we are not playing well but it's now we need them - we need them desperately, to support us, to make noise and be there all the time, because it's a final, absolutely it's a final for us," he said.

Guardiola also praised Aston Villa, who was unlucky to go out of the Champions League against Paris Saint Germain last week.

"They are a contender to qualify for the Champions League. You see the game they played against my friend (PSG coach) Luis Enrique - wow, I was really, really impressed."

"They can play 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," he added.

There is another important match in the Premier League on Wednesday when Arsenal hosts Crystal Palace in a match that could see this season's title mathematically decided.

Arsenal's 4-0 win away to Ipswich Town on Sunday meant Liverpool's title celebrations were put on ice, but if Arsenal loses on Wednesday, Liverpool will be Champions without needing to kick a ball in Sunday afternoon's visit to play Chelsea.