Mancini seeks to build upon Chelsea victory
The Manchester City manager tells his players to continue their winning form against Aston Villa
Roberto Mancini has called on Manchester City to use last week's victory over Chelsea as inspiration to keep the pressure on Manchester United when the champions travel to Aston Villa today.
Mancini's team kept alive their slim title hopes with a 2-0 victory over Rafael Benitez's side last weekend, but United remain firmly in the driving seat after a 4-0 rout of Norwich opened up a 15-point lead at the top.
Although Villa are battling against relegation, Mancini feels the clash will be a stiff test of his players' character because anything less than a victory would effectively end their hopes of retaining the title.
"I think it will be a difficult game. They play for relegation and will be strong. For us, it will be important," Mancini said.
"If we don't beat Aston Villa, it is like we didn't do nothing against Chelsea and for this reason it is important to beat Aston Villa and after to continue to go forward.
"The season is not finished. It is impossible we can think it is finished now, 11 games to the finish. It is our job to play all 100 per cent and try to win always."