City stars told to treat Spurs clash as cup final

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has told his players to prepare for next week’s showdown with fellow Champions League hopefuls Tottenham as though it is a cup final.

A 3-1 home victory over Aston Villa on Saturday means City are just one point behind fourth-placed Tottenham in the race for the fourth and final Champions League spot.

Both sides have two games remaining yet meet one another at Eastlands on Wednesday in what is being dubbed as one of the most important games in the history of both clubs.

And with so much at stake, Mancini compared the fifth-versus-fourth showdown to a major final.

If Tottenham win they are guaranteed to finish fourth, while a City triumph would leave them one more victory away from a place in Europe’s elite club competition.

“We wanted to be in one final this season,” said the Italian, in reference to City’s agonising semi-final defeat to neighbours Manchester United in the League Cup.

“Now we are in a final because this game with Tottenham is like a final.

“We need all out supporters and it will be the most important game for a year. It’s important that we win it.”

Mancini praised his team’s character after battling back from a goal behind to secure a priceless victory that gives them hope of joining their neighbours on the Champions League stage next season.

John Carew had given Villa the lead before Stephen Warnock’s foul on Adam Johnson allowed Carlos Tevez to equalise from the penalty spot.

In an explosive finish to the first half, Carew was then denied by the crossbar before Emmanuel Adebayor fired the hosts into a 2-1 lead from close range.

Craig Bellamy wrapped up the points in the last minute to leave Mancini looking ahead to a titanic showdown with Tottenham.

“We won’t do anything different,” added Mancini, when asked how his side will prepare for the visit of Harry Redknapp’s side.

“We will continue to train and then play the game. Everything will be decided on the last day of the season.”

Despite missing out on a top-four finish, Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill said he was proud of his players.

“We opened the season with a home defeat to Wigan Athletic and up to this, we shared with two other teams the least number of defeats,” said O’Neill.

“I’m really proud of the players. It’s disappointing because we had lots of possession.

“Ashley Young delivered four fantastic crosses into the area but in the end we were unable to capitalise. I thought we kept Manchester City at arms length and we looked dangerous on the break and got the goal.

“Just when we looked confident we gave away a penalty and moments later Carew hit the bar before City scored again. That was a big moment.”

Villa had taken the lead in the 16th minute with their first attack. Stewart Downing slipped the ball through for Carew, who showed great composure to find the net after Kolo Toure failed to get in a challenge.

City were back on level terms courtesy of Tevez’s 41st minute penalty and Adebayor netted with a cool finish after good work by Johnson moments later.

A stunning finish by Welsh forward Bellamy in the final minute put City in the perfect mood for their Spurs showdown.