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THURSDAY | APR 24, 2025

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Consistency is key City’s bad season cannot be salvaged, says Guardiola even after Villa win

Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers (left) in action with Man City’s Nico O’Reilly during their English Premier League match yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

Story on page 29 Title within reach

Confidence riding high

Story on page 31

P EP GUARDIOLA says that this season has been “bad” for Manchester City and no results from now until the end of the season will be able to change that. City defeated Aston Villa 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium yesterday to move up to third in the Premier League after Matheus Nunes struck the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Bernardo Silva’s early opener for City had been swiftly cancelled out by Marcus Rashford’s penalty after 18 minutes. The club are also in the FA Cup semifinals and can end the season with some silverware despite their struggles to challenge for the League title. Guardiola, who praised his team’s performance against Villa, revealed that he believes this season cannot be salvaged by winning a trophy and that consistency in the Premier League is the only thing that defines success for him. “The season has been bad,” he told Sky Sports after City’s win over Villa. “It’s not going to happen in the last month and a half. “The season has not been good, it doesn’t matter if we reach the final (of the FA Cup), or have an incredible time against Nottingham Forest or qualify for the Champions League. “The reality is that what makes you feel the season is good is the Premier League, not the Champions League, not the FA Cups, it is the consistency in the Premier League

do it.” In the build-up to the game, Guardiola had referred to the remaining five League matches as “finals”, with City to follow the Villa game by hosting Wolves and Bournemouth either side of playing at Southampton, before concluding their top-flight campaign at Fulham. Villa had gone into the contest with their 3-1 Champions League loss at PSG earlier this month the only match they had not won in their last 11 in all competitions, with Saturday’s 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle their fifth successive league victory. “I can feel a little bit disappointed but overall, I have to feel and tell the players I’m proud of them, everything we are doing,” Villa manager Unai Enery said . “We can analyse this match and try to use positive things, positive energy for Saturday (Sun 12.15am - FA Cup semifinal against Crystal Palace), for the rest of the season, and try to continue working hard to be in Europe. “Today we lost but (there are) still matches to play, still points to play (for). We will have chances to get the Champions League.” Regarding Rashford, who scored his fourth goal since joining on loan from Manchester United in February, he added: “I am so, so happy with him. He’s performing very well. Keep going – now Saturday, hopefully, he can help us again.” – The Independent

and we have not been (consistent). But, it happens. “Sometimes you have bad seasons for many reasons that everybody knows. Until the end you try to limit the damage.” Guardiola then explained why he was so animated on the touchline following Nunes’ winning goal and claimed he is not accustomed to winning games so late on. The City boss added: “I think the last-minute winning games belong to Liverpool especially how many times they did it under Jurgen (Klopp) and Arsenal with Mikel (Arteta). “We are not used to it so I’m really happy for the goal we scored at the end because we are into the last four or five games against a Champions League contender like Aston Villa. “Aston Villa are a team that in the last month have proved they are one of the best teams in Europe and we played really good in all departments. “Football is emotion, for the fans, for the players, for ourselves. We have a lot of pressure for the club. “In the last two games, Everton away and here with Villa were so difficult and the players were unbelievable. “I was so happy, I have to admit it. Football, if you are in this business, you live the disappointments but there are always good moments. “The team fought a lot, the performance was really good. It’s a fantastic team and we were able to

City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates after Matheus Nunes (not pictured) scored their second goal during yesterday’s match against Aston Villa. – REUTERSPIC

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