Super League a 'closed chapter' for Pep's champions-in-waiting

BIRMINGHAM, England－Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City's role in the European Super League controversy is a "closed chapter" as he urged his players to focus on clinching the English Premier League title after Wednesday's 2-1 win at Aston Villa.

City signed up to the breakaway Super League on Sunday, only to start the collapse of the tournament 48 hours later when the Abu Dhabi-owned club became the first team to officially pull out after a furious public backlash.

Guardiola's side ignored the off-field drama to come from behind for a vital victory at Villa Park as the Premier League leader moved 11 points clear of second-place Manchester United.

John McGinn's opener rocked City after 20 seconds, but Phil Foden equalized and Rodri headed the winner before halftime.

City defender John Stones was sent off just before the break before Villa's Matty Cash saw red in the second half.

City requires eight points from its final five games to win a third English title in four seasons and that was all Guardiola wanted to focus on after the Villa clash. The Spaniard also insisted he did not want an apology from his employer, after Liverpool owner John Henry apologized to Reds manager Jurgen Klopp in a video message over the Super League controversy.

"It's a closed chapter, as a club we accept and learn and focus on the reason why we are here. We are so close," Guardiola said. "They (the owners) don't need to apologize to me, I know them, I know how they are. It's a chapter which is over.

"Losing today, the last games would have been dangerous because Manchester United are in top form.

"When you arrive in the last five games depending just on yourselves, it's a good credit. We know exactly what we need－play like today. After two defeats against Leeds and Chelsea we know how important it was.

"There was a lot of adversity, it was not the best of starts but we recovered and came back incredibly well, not just with the two goals but the way we played."

Guardiola also revealed Kevin De Bruyne could be fit for Sunday's League Cup final with Tottenham. The Belgian midfielder missed the Villa game with an ankle injury, and Guardiola said: "It was less (damage) than expected and yesterday he felt much better. We'll see after tomorrow's training.

"If he's not ready for this final maybe he will be ready for the semifinal in the Champions League (against Paris Saint-Germain)."

AFP