Ilkay Gundogan says the frustration of being left out of the starting line-up for last season’s title-decider against Aston Villa provided the inspiration for his Man of the Match performance.

The midfielder was Manchester City’s hero at the Etihad Stadium, where he scored twice, including the winner, to seal a fourth league championship in five years after being introduced as a 68th minute substitute.

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Gundogan admits he had expected to start against Steven Gerrard’s side, but, rather than let his disappointment get the better of him, he channelled his frustrations into a display which will go down in City folklore.

“I was expecting to start that day,” he said. ​”I was preparing myself because I was confident I would start the game.

“Finding myself sitting on the bench, I was frustrated, I was angry, I was disappointed, but, as competitive as we are, I try to make the best out of every situation.

“I tried to put that anger into my game a little but and that’s what drove me in the 20-25 minutes that I played and maybe that led to the two goals.”

Watch the video above to hear Gundogan’s reflections on that unforgettable day, as well as his thoughts on the 2022/23 campaign.