Pep Guardiola has urged Manchester City supporters to show unrelenting backing in Tuesday’s crunch clash with Aston Villa amid continued fan protests over ticketing issues.
City fan groups will continue demonstrations against a variety of issues at the Etihad Stadium but have chosen to organise those for pre-match rather than repeat the nine-minute boycott during the victory over Leicester City.
Guardiola’s side are fourth after consecutive wins but defeat by Villa would serve as a significant blow to their Champions League aspirations.
Five teams – Newcastle United, City, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Unai Emery’s Villa – are separated by two points in the battle for three spots. City fans have recognised that and are protesting outside the stadium an hour before kick-off.
City have frozen season ticket and general admission prices for the first time in a decade but have since announced stricter parameters on attendance to maintain a season ticket for future campaigns – something former player Esme Morgan has publicly criticised. Matchday tickets for the Villa match start at £71.
‘It’s a final and we need our people,’ Guardiola said. ‘I think our people want the Champions League again next season. Hopefully they can help us from minute one. Don’t wait.
Pep Guardiola has urged Man City fans to show unrelenting backing against Aston Villa
City fan groups will continue demonstrations against a variety of issues at the Etihad
Guardiola also talked up the centre-back partnership of Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol
‘Sometimes we’re sloppy, not playing good [but] now, now we need them. We need them desperately, the supporters, to make noise and being there all the time because it’s a final for us.’
Guardiola has backed the right of supporters to voice displeasure, claiming he couldn’t abide a passive fanbase. City are set for a meeting with the fan advisory board at the beginning of next month.
The fixture against Wolves on May 2 is earmarked for another in-game protest, fans asked not to head for their seats until after the sixth minute – six marking the number of years since new season tickets were made available.
Guardiola, meanwhile, insisted that City will not dip into the market for a centre half this summer and talked up the partnership of Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.
‘I like Josko, especially with the build up with the left,’ Guardiola added. ‘He’s fast, so fast, going behind, I think Ruben and him as people, they are so generous – they talk a lot, especially Ruben, and I think they are doing a really, really good partnership.
‘We’ll see if we buy, I don’t think we’re going to… we bought two young central defenders in the winter time.
‘The important thing is to have a player who can play there, and can play in left back, and that is so important for us.’
