Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says his players are prepared for battle on Sunday against Aston Villa.

City need to beat Villa to be sure of being crowned champions ahead of Liverpool, which face Wolves.

"The day after we'll be happy if we have won — but my advice is to try to just be happy playing football, this is more important than winning titles," he said.

"You feel alone after two or three days. That's all? All the effort for that? Having it on your CV is good but no more than that.

"It's magnificent and then you defend being a champion over a year. Someone has to take us out."

Guardiola encouraged his players to express themselves as they usually would.

"We cannot control it, it's just a football game" he said.

"Don't think about the consequences of if we win or not. Think about what we have to do to beat Aston Villa.

"Are they going to play with Ings and Watkins or just with Watkins? Play with a holding midfielder or not? Digne on the outside or inside? This is what we have to handle.

"We have to be anxious? No, go there to try to enjoy the moment. If we are struggling, let's go again and try to enjoy it.

"From my experience, that's the best way to approach this situation."

Jack Grealish faces his old side for just the second time since his move to City last summer and could end the day with his first Premier League winners medal.

While Pep expects our England international to be enthusiastic about the prospect of silverware, he insisted that it isn't the only barometer of success in a player's career.

"He helped Villa to be promoted and after remain in the Premier League but he has never won a Premier League, he must be so excited.

"My advice to him is to try to be happy as possible playing football. That is most important.

"This season we are the champions and someone has to take us on, this is new for him. If we win, we will defend the title in every single game next season."