"I don't want to send any messages" - Guardiola

City

had their 5th back-to-back league win to go higher than Leicester City and Liverpool in the standings. 

Pep

is not considering title aspirations with less than half of the 2020-21 season gone. 

"I don't want to send any messages. It is Aston Villa on Wednesday. it is one game at a time,"

Guardiola

, who turns 50 on Monday, announced.

"A few weeks ago we were points behind Liverpool and we win a few games and that's what we have to do. Now I will drink a good glass of wine and then think about Aston Villa.

"Birthday plans? I'm up early tomorrow - yes I will drink something, alone because the family is away but it's a good present for the players."

The

City

manager was happy with what he witnessed and he praised Stones, who has been criticized in past for his play at the back.

"If there's one guy who deserves it, it is John. He has struggled for many reasons in the past, it belongs to him how he overcame this."

Guardiola

announced.

"It's just minutes for him. He deserves to play, he doesn't make mistakes and he's created a good partnership with Ruben Dias.

"We didn't concede, we had to be patient and Palace defended really well. We were so stable, it is an important victory.

"When we handle top teams we are fortunate to have this quality. In the final third when Kevin De Bruyne makes the assist, Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling put it in the top corner, and John Stones was on fire in the box. It's easy for me when you have these players.

"We try to play the same way we have in the last few seasons and in the back four we don't make mistakes. Last year we made a lot.

"If there is one player I am more than pleased that everything is going well, it's John Stones. He is playing because he deserves it."

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