Potential sanctions from Uefa will not distract Manchester City from their bid to be crowned Premier League champions when they face Aston Villa tonight, according to manager Manuel Pellegrini.
The club could face a fine of £49million spread across three years as well as having their Champions League squad restricted to just 21 men, instead of the normal 25, for falling foul of the financial fair play rules.
City will be without Sergio Aguero, who is suffering from a groin problem, for the match but Pellegrini insists his side will not be taking a win over Villa for granted.
“We have to win the game against Aston Villa; then at the end of the week, we will see which team has more points,” he said.
“We will prepare exactly the same as we have done in all the games during the year. The next game is always the most important.
“It is a difficult game because all the teams are under pressure. A lot of people said Everton were not going to win because they didn’t want Liverpool to win the title but we had a very tough game against them.”
The Chilean was as guarded as ever and refused to be drawn on what impact any sanctions handed down by Uefa could have on the club.
“When it is official news we can analyse what happens with the team. In this moment we don’t know what happens,” he stated.
Pellegrini also took the time to thank Blues’ fans for their support so far this season and said he hoped he could deliver the title to reward their continuing faith in his team.
“Of course, if we win the Premier League, it will be very important for all of them,” he said.
“It is not easy to win two titles in three seasons but I hope we can do it because the fans deserve it.”
Image courtesy of Manchester City FC via YouTube, with thanks.
