Despite drawing their last three games, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes his team will win the Premier League for a historic fourth year in a row.
The champions sit third, a point behind Liverpool and three behind leaders Arsenal, who can extend their lead to five points with a win at lowly Luton Town later on Tuesday.
“My feeling today is that we will win the Premier League,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of City’s game against Unai Emery’s fourth-placed Aston Villa on Wednesday.
“We’ll do it again if we play at the level of Liverpool or Tottenham.”
“After three draws, people don’t believe it, but we’re going to do it again.” We know it won’t be easy; no team has ever won four Premier League titles in a row, which is why the challenge exists.”
Spurs held City 3-3 at home on Sunday, following a 1-1 draw with Liverpool and a thrilling 4-4 outcome at Chelsea.
Guardiola expressed concern about the goals conceded, but the figures contrasted favourably to City’s treble of the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup last season.
“With the exception of (the) Chelsea (game), I’m saying the average of conceding chances is lower.” “The rest of the games are on par with previous seasons when we won a lot of titles,” he continued.
Guardiola stated that City’s England defender John Stones was ready to return from injury, maybe as a holding midfielder in the absence of the suspended Rodri, and that Jeremy Doku would be tested for health.
City will also be without Jack Grealish for the encounter against Villa, who have won their past 13 home league games.
Guardiola expressed his appreciation for Emery, a fellow Spaniard.
“Always when he leaves, the teams are better in all departments, the results, the players, controlling high presses, deep, set pieces and transitions, it’s exceptional,” he went on to say.
“With their run and form this season, especially at home, where they’ve won everything, but also away, it’ll be a tough game.” We already knew it, and we know it now.”