Pep Guardiola says becoming the second team in Premier League history to win four titles in five seasons would be a great achievement.

Manchester United are the only other side to have achieved such a feat, doing so on three occasions under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Victory over Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday would see City match that, and Guardiola believes attaining such consistency in such a competitive league would be a significant accomplishment for his side.

“What we are right now is a consequence of what happened in the past,” he explained at his pre-match press conference.

“The second year when we won with 100 points, a lot of work was done in the first season when we didn’t win.

“Of course it would be great [to win four in five seasons]. When I arrive and people here say the Premier League is really difficult, the toughest one, everyone wins different ones.

“Just Sir Alex Ferguson with United could do four in five years. When this happens, you realise the magnitude of this United (team) in this period and how he they were able to do it many times.

“We’re close to being a part of that and we have to try to take it. But that’s what means I would say how good it is but being in this position close to try to do it.”

 

The 2022/23 season will mark Guardiola’s seventh campaign at the Etihad.

He has already spent longer at City than he has at any other club in his managerial career but the Catalan is confident that his longevity will not lead to fatigue.

The 51-year-old says the quest for silverware and the addition of new players will reenergise himself and his squad and he remains confident City will continue to fight for trophies next season.

“I would say if we had this energy this season and previous ones then why not next season?” added the boss.

“I think we will be there but at the end of the season we will forget what we have done and I think new players and the competition itself brings this energy.

“If you tell me next season start tomorrow, I would say, ‘oh no please give me a break’ but the moment you start pre-season, new players, first opponent and the second one, then the energy is back.

“I’m pretty sure we will be there again to try to be a good opponent for our rivals.”