Manchester, England: Pep Guardiola, no stranger to Manchester City’s trophy-laden victories in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League, unleashed unprecedented jubilation when Matheus Nunes scored a 94th-minute winner against Aston Villa. Tapping in Jérémy Doku’s cross, Nunes sealed a crucial 2-1 victory, keeping City’s hopes alive for next season’s Champions League. With four games left, this win propelled City to third in the Premier League, a vital step toward securing a top-five finish. Guardiola’s fist-clenching, touchline sprint was a rare display of raw emotion.

The significance of the goal was not lost on Guardiola, who said, “Playing Aston Villa, one of Europe’s top teams, this win is huge. We’re in the final four games, contending for Champions League qualification.” City’s season has been plagued by injuries, forcing Nunes into an emergency right-back role and 20-year-old midfielder Nico O’Reilly at left-back. Stars like Erling Haaland and Rodri watched from the stands, while Phil Foden, last season’s standout, was benched due to poor form. “If you’d told me we’d be fighting for the Champions League with Nunes and Nico at full-back, I’d have been stunned,” Guardiola admitted.

For Aston Villa, the loss was a bitter blow. A victory could have lifted them to fourth, but they now languish in seventh. Manager Unai Emery, visibly devastated, said, “We must accept this defeat. Our focus shifts to the FA Cup semifinal against Crystal Palace.” City, four points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea, face Wolverhampton, Southampton, Bournemouth, and Fulham next, well-positioned to clinch the needed points.

City’s rollercoaster season, marked by a dismal November-December run, has tested their resilience. Recent comebacks—2-1 against Bournemouth, 5-2 over Crystal Palace, and late goals at Everton—show their fighting spirit. Guardiola pinpointed the Bournemouth win as a turning point. Meanwhile, Emery eyes the FA Cup, Villa’s chance for a first major trophy since 1957, with a potential final against City looming on May 17.