The Premier League match against Manchester City’s Aston Villa has been billed as “finals” by Pep Guardiola as it qualifies for the Champions League on the line.
The top five in the Premier League will compete in the European Elite Club Competition next season, with Arsenal in a strong position to seal the spot alongside Liverpool.
With five games remaining, City is heading for Tuesday’s game at Etihad Stadium at the table, while Unai Emery’s Villa is seventh, but only one point.
Villa has made even more progress than City, who fell into the playoff stage in the Champions League this season, reaching the quarterfinals before being kicked out by Parisian Selman.
“They are candidates to qualify for the Champions League,” said mayor Guardiola.
“You see the game they played against my friend Luis Enrique. [PSG boss] – Wow, I was really, really impressed.
“They can play and play with the low blocks, but when they decide to go, they’re incredibly organized with the weapons they have, the speed they have, the set pieces.
“It’s a final and we think people want the Champions League again next season, so we need people.
“Sometimes, we’re sloppy, sometimes we’re not playing well. Now we’re desperately need them to support us, make the noise and be there all the time because we’re absolutely the final thing for us.”
City and Villas can also meet in the FA Cup final in May if they advance to the semi-finals against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace this weekend at Wembley.
