City made the testing trip to Villa Park with several key members of Pep Guardiola’s side ruled out by injury, illness and suspension.
However, despite being shorn of the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Kyle Walker, City served up a fine display in the Midlands capped by wonderful first half goals from Dias and Bernardo Silva.
And as he reflected on what was our sixth consecutive victory across all competitions and fourth in the Premier League, Dias said it again demonstrated both the quality and unity of Guardiola’s squad.
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“On Wednesday, the team showed that we are a team in every sense of the word,” Dias declared.
“It is a very important win, especially with the way we played.
“Obviously, it is also a mission for the teams to have everyone available every time. Whenever that doesn’t happen it is a moment in which we need to be extra focused and extra ready.
WATCH: Aston Villa 1-2 City: Extended highlights
“We want everyone available every time to make the best decisions possible.
“(But) If anyone thought that we didn’t have our full team, I think the team answered that. Whoever plays, we have a full team.”
With leaders Chelsea and third-placed Liverpool also winning on Wednesday night, it was as you were in what is turning into a compelling race for the title.
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Second-placed City are just one point behind Chelsea with Liverpool a point behind us.
But rather than being side-tracked about the title race and possible permutations at the top, with seven tough fixtures remaining this month alone, our Portuguese defender said the focus was solely trained on the next challenge – in our case Saturday’s trip to Watford.
“We just think about the next game,” Dias asserted.
WATCH: Dias: Hard-fought Villa win particularly rewarding
“All of the rest, the maths, we will do it at the end. Win the next game, and the next one, and the next one. That is the way to do it.
“I think the level [has gone up].
“Obviously, that is good for the league, good for whoever is watching and good for us as well because we want to be the best, so we want to play against the best.”
