Having also lost in the league to Leeds 10 days ago, and with our gap at the top of the Premier League having been reduced to eight points, City suffered the blow of conceding a goal inside 20 seconds at Villa Park.
However, we responded in the manner befitting of prospective champions, first drawing level through Phil Foden before Rodrigo then headed in a vital winner in a game that saw both City’s John Stones and Villa’s Matty Cash dismissed.
And the boss had no doubts as to the importance of the result with City restoring our 11-point advantage and now needing eight points from our remaining five games to claim the crown.
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“We know exactly what we need, it’s to play like today, it’s a hugely important victory,” the boss asserted.
“When you arrive in the last five games depending just on yourself, it is a good boost, good credit.
“I saw the team, we were committed and after our two defeats against Leeds, against Chelsea we knew how important it was and of course for the progression for the Carabao Cup final and the Champions League game.
“It’s close, the most difficult for many reasons, season of our lives, like all the clubs.”
Play the video to watch Pep’s press conference in full…
