Man City flawless record is what Pep Guardiola needs vs Aston Villa

Final day showdowns are always packed with emotion, drama and joy at both ends of the Premier League table, but Pep Guardiola will be buoyed by Manchester City's flawless gameweek 38 record under his leadership.

The task for City is simple - beat Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa and Fernandinho will get his hands on the club's sixth Premier League title. Anything other than three points leaves the door open for Liverpool - who face Wolves at Anfield - to dramatically steal the glory from City's grasp and set up a quadruple bout with Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

Supporters of both sides are already taken aback by the nerves, but there is cause for optimism - City have been here and done it before, in the most nervy of scenarios. We can't talk about final day dramas under Guardiola and not start with City's trip to the South-Coast.

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Vincent Kompany's Leicester wonder strike on the Monday night left City in the exact same scenario they find themselves in on Sunday. Only a win - taking the club's total to a staggering 98 points - would stop Liverpool securing a first-ever Premier League crown.

They endured a nightmare start when Glenn Murray nodded Brighton in front, but City's ever-reliable Sergio Agüero quickly dragged the scores level. Aymeric Laporte gave the Blues the lead before half-time with a thumping header before Riyad Mahrez really got the title party started with a stunning turn and finish.

Ilkay Gundogan's sweet free-kick rounded off what, in the end, was a very professional performance from Guardiola's side. They'd shaken off the final day nerves and produced a performance of champions.

City actually were champions when