Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his unfamiliar jubilation following Matheus Nunes’s last-minute winner against Aston Villa. The dramatic goal secured a crucial 2-1 victory for City at the Etihad Stadium, lifting them to third place in the Premier League standings with just four matches remaining.
Guardiola’s emotional celebration, including fist pumps and a roar of elation, highlighted the significance of the late goal in City’s season. The manager admitted that City is not known for scoring late goals like Liverpool or Arsenal under their respective managers, Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta. He emphasized his happiness at the rare occurrence.
The match saw City take an early lead through Bernardo Silva before Aston Villa equalized with a contentious penalty converted by Marcus Rashford. Guardiola was visibly frustrated by the VAR decision that led to the penalty and received a yellow card for his protests.
However, Nunes emerged as the hero for City, scoring from a tight angle in stoppage time to secure the vital three points. Guardiola praised the players’ resilience and determination in a season that has been disappointing for the defending champions.
Despite the setback, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery urged his players to quickly shift their focus to the upcoming FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace. Emery acknowledged City’s dominance in the match but commended his team for their competitive spirit.
The defeat was a blow to Villa’s aspirations, coming just days after their Champions League exit. Emery emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards and preparing positively for the next challenge.
In conclusion, Guardiola reflected on the season’s challenges and emphasized the significance of securing a place in the Champions League. The late win against Villa provided a glimmer of hope in what has been a tough campaign for City. As the race for European qualification heats up, both teams will need to maintain their focus and determination in the remaining fixtures.
