PEP: WE'LL NOT BE THE VILLAINS THIS TIME

Guardiola still shivers at the video hasty that is Christmas 2024, and says there'll be no more gifts

- BY TYRONE MARSHALL

PEP GUARDIOLA just loves to put himself through it when things get tough at Manchester City - it's what makes him a world-class manager.

So the 54-year-old Catalan sat down last Thursday to watch the video nasty that was City's 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa last December.

It was the nightmare before Christmas for Guardiola's side, extending a dismal run of form that derailed their season. But as they prepare to head back down the M6 for Villa Park, life is looking a lot brighter at the Etihad today.

City are nine games unbeaten, well placed to progress in the Champions League and firmly back in the Premier League title race, but the foundations for their renewed optimism were laid in the second half of last season.

Guardiola said ahead of today's trip to Villa: "I saw the game yesterday (against Villa in December). We didn't have energy, we didn't deserve (anything).