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Manchester City have won their past 14 Premier League home games against Aston Villa Manchester City's Premier League game against Aston Villa has been billed as "a final" by Pep Guardiola because Champions League qualification is on the line. The Premier League's top five will qualify for Europe's elite club competition next season and with Arsenal in a strong position to seal their spot alongside Liverpool, a fascinating race is developing with the next five clubs separated by only two points. With five games remaining, City head into Tuesday's match at Etihad Stadium fourth in the table while Unai Emery's Villa are seventh, but trail by just one point. Villa progressed further than City - who fell at the play-off stage - in the Champions League this season, reaching the quarter-finals before being edged out by Paris-St Germain. "They are a contender to qualify for the Champions League, " said City manager Guardiola. "You see the game they played against my friend Luis Enrique [PSG boss] - wow, I was really, really impressed. "They can play low block and play away, but when they decide to go, with the weapons they have, the speed they have, the set-pieces, they are incredibly well organised. "It is a final and we need our people because I think our people want the Champions League next season again and hopefully they can help us from the first minute. "Sometimes we are sloppy, sometimes we are not playing good, now we need them desperately to support us, to make noise and be there all the time because it's absolutely a final for us. " City and Villa could also meet in the FA Cup final in May if they progress through their semi-finals - against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace respectively - at Wembley this weekend. This video can not be played The 'phenomenal' race for Champions League spots Five teams separated by two points - race for Europe is intensifying 'An incredible battle' - why top-five race is 'impossible to call' One of Villa's stand-out players during this campaign has been Morgan Rogers, who was once at City. The 22-year-old joined Guardiola's side in 2019 from West Bromwich Albion but failed to make a first-team appearance, spending time on loan at Lincoln City, Bournemouth and Blackpool. He signed for Villa last February from Middlesbrough and his stellar performances have seen him contribute 14 goals and 13 assists this term, as well as earning an England call-up. Guardiola said: "He was in the second team and trained sometimes with us. [From] the glimpses, we could see something, he could do it. "The impact in Villa has been [incredible] - what a player, so we had an exceptional player here. " Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Championship: Build-up to 11 games including Leeds v Stoke and Plymouth v Coventry Premier League: Latest in the race for the Champions League as Forest go to Spurs Serie A games postponed after death of Pope Francis Rick Stein explores age-old traditions and modern tastes The wild origins of the modern-day rollercoaster John Simm stars in the provocative 90s drama, The Lakes Can Shrek contend with his new in-laws? 'An incredible battle' - why top-five race is 'impossible to call' Saudi 'horrible' & 2025 looking 'painful' - Hamilton 'Iconic moment in a special Liverpool career - but was it a farewell? ' Superstar Alexander-Arnold's 'unbelievable' left foot half-volley. Video Superstar Alexander-Arnold's 'unbelievable' left foot half-volley 'A club at a crossroads' - relegated Leicester in need of rebuild 'If we don't score, nothing matters' - 'damaged' Hojlund 'not ready' 'Wild celebrations but Chelsea top-five bid still on knife edge' De Bruyne 'bit surprised' by no Man City contract offer Why Mc Gregor is 'glue' that binds Rodgers' Celtic England's 'selection headaches' for Grand Slam decider Celtic score four in 12 minutes to destroy St Johnstone. Video Celtic score four in 12 minutes to destroy St Johnstone Five teams separated by two points - race for Europe is intensifying 14-year-old becomes youngest player in IPL history Aberdeen score late extra-time winner to beat Hearts. Video Aberdeen score late extra-time winner to beat Hearts World Handicap System manipulators are cheats - R&A From beer to betting - how have football shirt sponsors changed? Snooker World Championship guide: Draw, seeds & coverage Getting the meals right - Green on kidney condition & Ashes hopes What does the 'definition of a woman' ruling mean for sport? The life, loss and legacy of Kevin Campbell Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.