Will Gerrard spoil City’s party?

MANCHESTER City have the destiny of the Premier League title in their hands heading into today’s final day showdown, with the defending champions holding a one-point lead over quadruple-chasing Liverpool.

Pep Guardiola’s men will claim a fourth English title in five years of a dominant era for Abu Dhabi-backed City with victory over Aston Villa.

“It’s difficult to control your emotions when you know what you are playing for,” said City manager Guardiola.

“The players are human beings but it’s football, when you think that it is over it is not over.”

City know that to their cost having been minutes away from the Champions League final only to blow a twogoal lead in their semi-final, second leg against Real Madrid earlier this month.

“The importance is unnecessary to tell them,” added Guardiola. “They know it, they feel it.”

Liverpool will instead face Real in next weekend’s battle to be crowned champions of Europe in Paris as they remain in contention for an unprecedented haul of four major trophies in the one season.

Jurgen Klopp’s men have already lifted the League Cup and FA Cup.

The presence of Liverpool great and now Villa manager Steven Gerrard on the opposition bench at the Etihad adds extra intrigue to the decisive day in the title race.

Gerrard famously never won a league title in his 17-year career at Anfield, but could deliver one on a plate to his old club.

Anything other than a City win will allow Liverpool to take the title with victory at home to Wolves.

Chelsea will join City and Liverpool in next season’s Champions League, with Tottenham and Arsenal still battling for fourth spot.

Spurs need a draw away to already-relegated Norwich to secure a return to the Champions League, while the Gunners must win at home to Everton and hope Spurs stumble at Carrow Road. Manchester United and West Ham are guaranteed European football next season but their battle to be in the Europa League rather than the Conference League has gone to the final day. Should United fail to win at Crystal Palace, the Hammers can finish sixth with victory at Brighton.

At the bottom of the table, one of Burnley and Leeds will be relegated.

Burnley have the advantage of just having to match Leeds’s result thanks to their superior goal difference.

The Clarets host Newcastle at Turf Moor, while Leeds travel to Brentford.