Pep Guardiola reveals what he has said to his players ahead of Aston Villa clash

Guardiola is looking for his fourth Premier League title as manager of Manchester City.
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he has told his players to remember that Sunday’s huge title deciding match against Aston Villa is simply a football game and to not think about either outcome.

The Citizens know that three points versus Villa will secure them yet another Premier League trophy whilst anything less will all be ensure the silverware heads to Merseyside with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

Steven Gerrard, Manager of Aston Villa greets Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City prior to the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester CitySteven Gerrard, Manager of Aston Villa greets Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City prior to the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester City
Steven Gerrard, Manager of Aston Villa greets Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City prior to the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester City
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Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool legend, is the man tasked with masterminding a gameplan to stop Guardiola from taking those three points adding even more spice to what is already shaping up to be a monumental occasion.

Both sets of players know it, both sets of fans know it and both sets of managers of course know what is at stake but the Spaniard who is no stranger from winning the big one - is approaching the contest the only way he knows - just another 90 minutes.

“I said to the players, it’s just a football game, focus on the football game, don’t think of the consequences, of how happy we will be if we win or how sad we will be if we lose, forget about it, it’s just a football game and just think about what you have to do to win against Aston Villa,” Guardiola explained.

“If you think about it being one more title or one less title - yeah this kind of thing is important, everyone knows it – but it’s a football game.

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“Do they play with Watkins or Ings and Watkins? Does Douglas Luiz play as a holding midfielder, or as a three, or not? Will McGinn move outside or not? This is what we have to handle tomorrow, these kind of things are what we have to think about if we want to win the game, with our people.

“As a club we have not been here many times in our time so once we are here, should we be anxious or nervous? No. No way. Go there and try to enjoy the game, enjoy the moments.

“We will suffer in moments, if we concede a goal, come on, let’s go, try again, try again and the good moments continue and do it.

“From my little experience this is the best way to approach these situations.”

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