Pep Guardiola has given his assessment of the win over Aston Villa.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola described the win as “important” while stressing the need to keep a cool head and keep going after the team secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Aston Villa that bolstered their Champions League hopes.
Matheus Nunes scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of injury time at the Etihad Stadium, where Bernardo Silva’s early lead for City was quickly equalised by Marcus Rashford from the penalty spot.
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The result saw City move up two places in the Premier League table to third place with four games remaining, while Unai Emery’s Villa were two points off the top five in seventh place.
Asked about how big the victory was, Guardiola – whose side face Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday, a day after Villa play Crystal Palace in the other semi-final – told a press conference:
“If we win the next four games, this one has been very important. Of course, it is important. We don’t have to be scientists to understand that we are facing Aston Villa, one of the best teams. We saw their games against Newcastle and (Paris St Germain), the top form, the quality, the manager, everything. It’s an extraordinary team.”
“But we performed as we have done before, the commitment, we conceded little. We didn’t create much either, but we controlled most of the game. The defense was, again, fantastic. All the players.”
“In terms of Champions League qualification, for the points, it’s important. But at the same time, we have to be calm and focus on the semi-finals, and afterwards we have days to prepare for the four ‘finals’ – two games at home, two away, and game by game.”
“The important thing is that we have it in our own hands – if we win the three, four games, we will be there.”
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