City need to better Chelsea’s result at Manchester United – or win by three more goals than Emma Hayes’ side manages if both teams win.
Taylor revealed the mood is relaxed ahead of our final game at Aston Villa and he can sense the determination to pull off what would be an incredible triumph
“The players are hungry, I can see the light in their eyes” said the City boss.
“The spirit has been good. They’re ready for this game.
“We are really good. We have had a good couple of weeks since the previous game.
“Our levels are really good and we are super focused on what we have to do.”
And there was positive news ahead of the clash at Villa Park with no new reported injuries, as Taylor added: “Everybody’s cool, really good. Obviously apart from the ones we were missing previously.
“We have prepared exactly the same as we would [for any other game].
“Our objective is to try and score as many as we can and concede as few as we can.
“That sounds simple. We never play for a point. We’ve done that really well this season, scored more than four in 10 games out of 21 this season.
“We have more than enough in our ranks to do what we need to. It would be huge. There is no denying it.
“Everything we work for this season. We never prioritize but the one you want to win is the one that commands the best team have won
“We have pushed the boundaries since last summer to bring in one world class player, shows the amount of improvement we have made.
“To be involved in the last game, the league is set up this way. That’s exciting. It’s good for us to know what we need to do.
“That game (Spurs v Chelsea) going how it did last night tells us what we need to do.
“We have a great chance. Are we capable of scoring four? We are. We have done it in double figures in 21 game season.
“We know we’re capable. Doesn’t mean we can do it at the weekend of course.
“I will leave the data to the other guys, but for me it’s a feeling. When we got together this morning, there was a feeling last night was good for us.
“There will be toing and froing and what we have to do is concentrate on us and start impressively and as fast as we can.
“You’ve seen with this team we can score three goals in five minutes. Focus on what we need to do.”
And asked whether there was a fascinating subplot of Manchester United being able to help City on Saturday, Taylor said: “This day and age there is a narrative everywhere.
“People jump to assumptions, but I don’t see that issue in the women’s game.
“If you spoke to Ange and his Spurs team you would see that was a team that were trying hard to win the game.
“I didn’t see a team that were trying to hand the title to City. I’m expecting Villa to give everything, United to give everything and Chelsea to give everything.”
How to follow Villa v City on our official app
City travel to Villa Park for the 15:00 (UK) kick-off on Saturday 18 May with hope of a second WSL title.
In order to lift the trophy, we’ll have to better Chelsea’s result in their game against Manchester United. If Chelsea win, we’d have to win by three more goals than they do.
Gareth Taylor‘s side had won 14 games in a row before the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal earlier this month.
In the reverse fixture between these sides earlier this season, Lauren Hemp scored both goals as we came from behind to win 2-1 at the Joie Stadium.
A strong City following is expected at Villa Park, but if you can’t make it then the next best place to follow the action is on the Official Man City app.
Minute-by-minute text updates of the game will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, shortly followed by our Matchday Live show which will begin around 14:00 (UK) – as the team news comes in.
Tash Harding and Michael Brown will join Natalie Pike in the studio for that one, with FG and Karen Bardsley providing updates from the stadium. Bardsley will also join Nick Walsh for live, free radio commentary on our Matchday Centre once the game kicks off.
They will provide City-centric insight before, during and after our final game of the 2023/24 season, as well as answering viewer questions throughout the broadcast.
With audience participation actively encouraged, get in touch via WhatsApp: +447537186538.
For those who have push notifications turned on, you can be alerted to the key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and team news.
Extended highlights from the match, as well as a full-match replay [available with a CITY+ subscription] will be accessible from midday on Sunday.
