Guardiola laments City's struggles: "This season’s been bad."

Posted : 23 April 2025

Manchester City secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Tuesday night, a result that propelled them into third place in the Premier League standings. The victory marks an important step towards securing Champions League football for next season. Matheus Nunes scored the winning goal deep into stoppage time, latching onto Jeremy Doku’s cross at the far post. Earlier in the game, Bernardo Silva had given City an early lead before Aston Villa equalised through a penalty. Despite the win, manager Pep Guardiola expressed disappointment with how the season has gone overall.

Guardiola did not shy away from describing the campaign as underwhelming, stating plainly that “this season has been bad.” While City remain in contention for the FA Cup and will participate in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer, the Premier League has been the benchmark for consistency in Guardiola's eyes. He stressed that success in domestic league performance is what defines a good season for him, more so than any cup run or European qualification.

Reflecting on the current state of his team, Guardiola acknowledged the high level of competition in the Premier League, saying that City has struggled with energy and consistency. He pointed to a shift in the team’s spirit following a recent FA Cup tie against Bournemouth but admitted that in other matches, such as those against Manchester United and Everton, the performance levels were not up to standard. Guardiola emphasized the importance of fighting for every ball and maintaining high energy—qualities that, according to him, were lacking for much of the season.

Despite his overall disappointment, Guardiola did take the time to highlight individual performances and improvements in the team's recent outings. He was particularly impressed with Jeremy Doku, praising the winger’s pace and ability to create danger in the final third. The manager also commended his backline and noted that his players have shown strong determination in the last two matches. He expressed satisfaction with how the team has responded under pressure and in crucial moments.

As the season approaches its conclusion, Guardiola remains focused on ensuring City finishes strongly. He acknowledged the emotional intensity that comes with playing for a club with high expectations, especially when qualification for the Champions League is at stake. “Football is emotion,” he said, recognizing the passion that drives both the players and the supporters. He lauded his team’s character and performance, especially in high-stakes matches like the one against Villa.

On the other side of the pitch, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery expressed disappointment at conceding a goal so late in the match. He noted that his team had performed competitively and were close to securing a draw. Emery explained that he had made substitutions with the aim of winning, but City’s changes proved decisive. He remained optimistic, however, stating that there were plenty of positives to take from the game and that the team would use the experience to grow stronger.

Looking ahead, Emery stressed the importance of moving on quickly and preparing for upcoming fixtures. He encouraged his squad to stay focused and continue building on their current momentum. Emery outlined a short recovery and preparation schedule before facing Crystal Palace, reiterating the importance of maintaining high standards and learning from each game. Both teams, though in different moods, are already looking ahead to their next challenges.

Guardiola laments City's struggles: "This season’s been bad."

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