Steven Gerrard makes Liverpool friends joke ahead of final day clash with Manchester City

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard joked that his phone has been incredibly busy ahead of Villa’s huge game with Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday.

The Villa boss, a boyhood Liverpool fan, has the chance to inadvertently send the Premier League title to Merseyside if his claret and blue side are able to take points off of Pep Guardiola’s City this weekend - something he doesn’t need reminding of.

Doesn’t need reminding of - but that hasn’t stopped his friends piping up sending him texts and phone calls ahead of the big match.

“The phone’s been busy,” Gerrard joked when asked if he’s been receiving stick from his mates.

But, staying as professional as ever, he was quick to redirect the conversation back to Villa - stating that his focus was simply on getting the job done for them and if that inadvertently helps Liverpool, ‘fantastic.’

“We’ve got three massive points to play for, we’ve got an opportunity to finish the season on a high,” he added.

“It would be nice if we can reward our supporters with something at the weekend.

“In terms of Liverpool, I totally understand and respect the external noise and the questions that have been coming my way for some time.

“They’re involved in a title race, and I spent a lot of time there.

“It is disappointing when people mention integrity and aim it towards me or Aston Villa or any of my players. We’ll go out at the weekend and give it everything we’ve got to try and get points for Aston Villa and our supporters.

“If that inevitably helps Liverpool, fantastic. But my priority is to try and get points for Aston Villa.”

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