Pep Guardiola launched into an extraordinary six-and-a-half-minute monologue on Tuesday, defending his Manchester City players, claiming they will make history this season and skewering accusations of complacency.
City visit Aston Villa on Wednesday on the back of conceding eight goals in three straight draws — their worst run in the Premier League since 2017. They head to Villa without the suspended Rodri and Jack Grealish, and their shining light this season Jeremy Doku is missing through injury. It leaves Guardiola needing to rejig his midfield for one of the season’s toughest away assignments.