Guardiola Prepares City for 'Final' Against Villa After Everton Win

Manchester City and Aston Villa are set to face off in a crucial Premier League match at the Etihad, with both teams vying for Champions League qualification. City recently climbed to fourth place after a hard-fought 2-0 victory against Everton, thanks to late goals from Nico O'Reilly and Mateo Kovacic, and now hold a slim one-point advantage over Villa. Pep Guardiola has described the upcoming clash as a 'final,' emphasizing its importance for securing a spot in Europe's top club competition. While City have shown inconsistency this season, they have found some form in recent matches and benefit from a strong historical home record against Villa. Both managers and players recognize the high stakes, as a defeat could deal a major blow to either side's Champions League ambitions. The match is expected to be intense, with the winner taking a significant step toward qualification.