Pep Guardiola after Man City's thrilling comeback against Aston Villa: 'Football is emotion'
By
SABC Sport
23rd April 2025
Few goals have prompted such a visceral reaction from Pep Guardiola as Matheus Nunes' stoppage-time winner against Aston Villa on Tuesday night.
Despite a career filled with title-clinching goals and European triumphs, Guardiola's jubilant celebration at the Etihad Stadium underscored just how vital the moment was for Manchester City's hopes of securing a place in next season's UEFA Champions League.
Nunes, deployed as an emergency right-back due to a growing injury list, drifted unmarked to the far post to tap in Jeremy Doku's cross in the 94th minute, sealing a 2-1 win that propelled City into third place in the Premier League table. With only four matches remaining, Guardiola's side now finds itself in a commanding position in the race for a top-five finish.
Ordinarily composed in his goal celebrations, Guardiola broke from tradition - clenching both fists, shouting in elation, and running the touchline - while Nunes sprinted toward the corner flag, soon buried beneath a pile of teammates. The despair was equally evident for Aston Villa. Manager Unai Emery, knowing a win would have lifted his side into fourth place, buried his face in his hands as the implications of the result sank in. Villa now sit seventh.
"Of course, it's important," Guardiola reflected post-match. "You don't need to be a scientist to realise we played one of Europe's best teams. We are in the final stretch of the season, and every match carries immense pressure, particularly as we compete for Champions League qualification."
City had entered the match with a depleted squad. Key figures including Erling Haaland, Rodri, and Phil Foden-last season's Premier League Player of the Season - were either sidelined or benched. Left-back duties fell to 20-year-old Nico O'Reilly, a natural midfielder, while Nunes was shifted into an unfamiliar defensive role.
Despite these challenges, City demonstrated resilience. Bernardo Silva opened the scoring early in the first half before Marcus Rashford equalised for Villa from the penalty spot. Yet, just as the match appeared destined to end in a draw, Nunes delivered the decisive blow.
"This has been a difficult season," Guardiola admitted. "If you told me at the beginning that we'd be competing for a Champions League place with Nico and Matheus as full-backs, I'd have thought it impossible. But here we are. The players have shown incredible character."
Indeed, recent performances have been a testament to City's fighting spirit. In the past three weeks, they have come from behind to defeat Bournemouth, rallied from two goals down to overcome Crystal Palace, and scored two late goals to beat Everton. Tuesday's dramatic finish against Villa was a continuation of that trend.
Now four points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea, City's remaining fixtures-against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Southampton, Bournemouth, and Fulham - offer a manageable path to securing Champions League football next season.
"The Bournemouth match changed something," Guardiola noted, referring to the turning point in his side's momentum. While he praised his squad's perseverance, Unai Emery turned his attention toward the future.
"We must accept this defeat," said the Villa manager. "Now we reset and focus entirely on the FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace. Our European campaign has been memorable, and we aim to return to the Champions League. But we also have the opportunity to pursue a historic domestic trophy."
Villa, who have not won the FA Cup since 1957, will face Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday. City, meanwhile, play Nottingham Forest in the second semi-final on Sunday, leaving open the possibility of a Guardiola-Emery rematch in the final on May 17.
