Latest Aston Villa news as Pep Guardiola reacts to a final day of twists and turns as his side clinch third place in the Premier League after the Villans' defeat to Man Utd
Comments
Sport
Pep Guardiola after Manchester City's 2-0 defeat of Fulham
Manchester City managed a third-placed finish this season(Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola admitted his side securing qualification for next season's edition of the Champions League felt like winning the Premier League.
City, who have been no strangers to late drama having clinched three of their ten Premier League titles on the last day of the season, beat Fulham 2-0 at Craven Cottage to finish third in the top flight.
Goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Erling Haaland sealed what turned out to be a routine win for the Blues, who left former Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish out of the squad as speculation swirls about his future.
Villa were consigned to a sixth-placed finish, five points behind City in the end after a controversial 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Unai Emery's side were furious after seeing a goal ruled out by referee Thomas Bramall in the second half and have complained to the Premier League about the appointment of the 35 year-old.
United then went on to open the scoring through Amad before a Christian Eriksen penalty sealed the win for Ruben Amorim's side.
Chelsea and Newcastle United, the latter on goal difference having finished on 66 points with Villa, make up the top five for the 2024-25 Premier League season.
"It is a relief, because today qualification for the Champions League is like winning the title," Guardiola said, in a message that spoke volumes for how City were pushed by Villa, Newcastle and Chelsea this season.
"When we could not win the Premier League, the players could have said: 'I don’t fight anymore'. That has happened in this country many, many times that the winner of the Premier League has not qualified for the Champions League. The damage was not to finish seventh, eighth, ninth or 10th.
"We never gave up. People will not believe it, but it is a really, really happy day for us. We will learn the lessons and next season it will not happen again and we will be better."
As for Grealish, what the future holds for him is uncertain.
The Solihull native now looks all-but-certain to leave City four years after signing for £100 million.
Villa have been tentatively linked with a move for their academy graduate but that is highly unlikely with Newcastle perhaps a more realistic option for Grealish.
"It was selection," Guardiola said of his decision to leave Grealish out.
"Of course Jack has to play. He's an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days.
"It didn't happen this season and last season either. He needs to do it, and that's with us, or another place. And that's a question for Jack, his agent, and the club. If he stays it will be fine and he fought like he fought from day one to make a contribution, but not today."