GRAND FINALE
Leaders Manchester City aim to end Liverpool’s quadruple bid in Premier League climax
Manchester, United Kingdom - Manchester City have the destiny of the Premier League title in their hands heading into Sunday’s final day showdown, with the defending champions holding a slender one-point lead over quadruple-chasing Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola’s men will claim a fourth English title in five years of a dominant era for Abu Dhabi-backed City with victory over Aston Villa.
“It’s difficult to control your emotions when you know what you are playing for,” said City manager Guardiola.
“The players are human beings but it’s football, when you think that it is over it is not over.”
City know that to their cost
Jurgen Klopp’s men have already lifted the League Cup and FA Cup.
“Imagine somebody tells you before the season you’re going to be in all three cup finals and want to fight for the league,” said Liverpool manager Klopp.
“The boys did it –- fed by the people here in the building, by our supporters, by all these kind of things.
“It’s a fantastic time for a Liverpool supporter and now we have to make sure we enjoy the last two games as well,” the German added.
The presence of Liverpool great and now Villa manager Steven Gerrard on the opposition bench at the Etihad adds extra seen Arsenal throw away a golden chance to get back to European football’s top table.
The Gunners have to win at home to an Everton side fresh from sealing their Premier League status and hope Spurs stumble at Carrow Road.
Manchester United and West Ham are guaranteed European football next season but their battle to be in the Europa League rather than the Conference League has also gone to the final day.
Incoming United manager Erik Ten Hag is expected to be in attendance for their trip to Crystal Palace.
Should United fail to win, the Hammers can finish sixth with victory at Brighton.
We’ll go out at the weekend and give it everything we’ve got to try and get points for Aston Villa and our supporters.