Manuel Pellegrini asserts his side must treat every game as the biggest of the season if they are to keep their title hopes alive.

City clinched a crucial three points with a 4-0 triumph over struggling Aston Villa to remain in the hunt for a third Premier League trophy, with a second half blitz of goals from Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero (2) and Raheem Sterling.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, the Chilean admitted the Blues are relying on other results to go their way but insists they will keep fighting for the crown until the very end.

“All the teams will lose points from now until the end of the season,” he predicted. “The pressure comes more towards the end so experience will be important.

“We need other teams to lose points - we are not just depending on what we can do. We are going to play every game as a final.

“We need to close the gap if Arsenal, Leicester and Tottenham lose points. It is very important.

“In my first season, we had three games postponed - that’s why we are always coming back to win the title. We always have the chance in our hand.

We are going to be involved in the title race until the end - the margin for error is very small but this team has the experience to try to win the title.

Pellegrini was delighted to see his side put the Villans to the sword and keep a clean sheet, after three consecutive league defeats.

Aguero bagged a brace with his 20th and 21st goals of the season to clinch his tenth goal in ten games - another feat which pleased the boss.

“It was very important to score four goals against Aston Villa,” he declared. “We always try to be a scoring team. We try to be the highest scoring team in the Premier League.

“We always try to play in an offensive way so to do it - especially against Aston Villa who had nine men behind the ball - will give us a lot of trust.

“It was important to be patient. We didn’t play badly in the first-half - we created chances but we just didn’t score.

Sergio Aguero goal

“Fortunately, we were able to score the four goals in the second half.

“It’s a team game - not an individual game but players who can make a difference are important and Sergio makes a difference.

“Three weeks ago, before we lost against Leicester and Tottenham, we had important players injured.

“When you have your best players, of course it is better for the team. When you don’t have them, it is important that the squad plays well.

“I always want Sergio to play the way he played today.

“Now, we need to beat Norwich and after that, we will try to win every game.

“It’s impossible to guess how many points will win this title but I guess it would be around 75.”