As the Premier League season barrels toward its climax, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has framed Tuesday’s clash against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium as a “final” in the race for Champions League qualification. With only five games left, the stakes couldn’t be higher. City, perched in fourth with 58 points, hold a slender one-point lead over seventh-placed Villa, making this match a pivotal moment in securing a top-five finish for next season’s elite European competition. “It’s a final and we need our people, because I think our people want the Champions League next season again,” Guardiola urged, calling on fans to bring unrelenting energy from the first whistle. “Hopefully they can help us from minute one. Don’t wait.”
The 2024-25 campaign has been a turbulent one for City. After dominating the Premier League with four consecutive titles, their form faltered dramatically, with a dismal run of one win in 12 matches across all competitions by December 2024. A 2-1 defeat at Villa Park, where Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers exposed City’s defensive frailties, underscored their struggles. However, recent victories, including a hard-fought 2-0 win at Everton on April 19, 2025, have sparked hope. Late goals from Nico O’Reilly and Mateo Kovacic at Goodison Park lifted City to fourth, and Guardiola sees the Villa match as a chance to cement their resurgence. “Absolutely,” he said when asked if the game could shape the final standings. “After that, the game against Wolves will be a final again. Every game counts.”
Guardiola’s admiration for Villa, led by Unai Emery, is palpable. Villa’s impressive Champions League campaign, reaching the quarter-finals before a narrow 5-4 aggregate loss to Paris Saint-Germain, has caught his eye. “They are a contender to qualify for the Champions League,” he said. “You see both games they played against my friend Luis Enrique and PSG—wow, I was really, really impressed. They can play low block or not, but when they decide to go, with the weapons they have, the speed they have, the set pieces, and the way they organise…” Emery echoed the mutual respect, noting City’s pedigree despite their challenges. “My respect for them is massive, like always, and we are ready,” he said, emphasizing Villa’s focus for this critical encounter.
A subplot adds intrigue: Morgan Rogers, Villa’s breakout star with 14 goals and 13 assists this season, is a former City academy player. Signed by Villa from Middlesbrough in February 2024, the 22-year-old has earned an England call-up and haunted his old club in their December loss. “He was in the second team and trained sometimes with us,” Guardiola recalled. “The glimpses we could see, he could do it. The impact in Villa has been incredible—what a player.” Rogers’ pace and flair, alongside Villa’s counter-attacking threat, pose a significant challenge for City’s depleted defense, with only one fit central defender available.
Guardiola has also praised 20-year-old Nico O’Reilly, who scored in consecutive games despite playing out of position at left-back. “He’s an attacking midfielder, and when he plays as a full-back, the transitions are quick,” Guardiola said, though he challenged O’Reilly to prove his durability. “He has to see if he can play every three days, like Bernardo [Silva] has proven.” City’s injury woes, including absences of Ederson, Nathan Ake, and Ruben Dias, have forced tactical adjustments, but Guardiola remains optimistic. “We have to think positive,” he said after the Villa loss in December. “I have incredible trust in the guys.”
With Newcastle, Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest also vying for top-five spots, the race is razor-tight, with just two points separating third from seventh. City’s clash with Villa could set the tone for their remaining fixtures, including an FA Cup semifinal against Nottingham Forest. A potential FA Cup final rematch with Villa looms if both teams advance. For now, Guardiola’s focus is singular: rallying players and fans for a performance worthy of a final. As the Etihad braces for a raucous night, City’s season hangs in the balance, with their Champions League dreams riding on this defining moment.