Jack Grealish, Matheus Nunes react to Omar Marmoush's Aston Villa message
Manchester City's below-par season is back on track after their last-gasp 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Monday.
Pep Guardiola's side haven't been in title contention for much of the current Premier League season and are unable to catch runaway leaders Liverpool in their final four matches, sat 18 points behind the Reds.
City also exited the EFL Cup and Champions League ahead of schedule, and Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest is their last chance to salvage this campaign in the form of some silverware.
There'll be no fifth-straight Premier League title lift at the Etihad Stadium next month, but after their win over top-five rivals Aston Villa on Monday, Man City are back on course for a place in Europe's elite.
Omar Marmoush issues message to Man City fans
City left it late on Monday to extend their run of Premier League victories to three, as Matheus Nunes' 94th-minute strike vanquished Villa at the death to continue his strong run of displays at right-back.
The exit-linked Bernardo Silva had given Guardiola's side a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute at the Etihad, before Marcus Rashford equalised 11 minutes later after Villa won a controversial penalty kick.
| Position | Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GD | Points |
| 3 | Manchester City | 34 | 18 | 7 | 9 | +23 | 61 |
| 4 | Nottingham Forest | 33 | 18 | 6 | 9 | +14 | 60 |
| 5 | Newcastle United | 33 | 18 | 5 | 10 | +18 | 59 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 33 | 16 | 9 | 8 | +18 | 57 |
| 7 | Aston Villa | 34 | 16 | 9 | 9 | +5 | 57 |
Up front, January arrival Marmoush has been thrust into the spotlight after Erling Haaland's potentially season-ending injury in City's FA Cup quarter-final win, and put in yet another impressive display.
In an Instagram post (23 April) liked by England star Jack Grealish, Marmoush said: "We Never Stop", and with their FA Cup semi-final days away, the City faithful will hope that comes to pass at Wembley.
City's hero Nunes commented on Marmoush's post with a sky blue loveheart, while Claudio Etcheverri said: "You're a top friend", to City's number seven.
Matheus Nunes can turn Man City career around
It's unlikely Nunes thought that his longest spell in Man City's team would come as a makeshift right-back when he made his big-money move from Wolves in 2023, but injuries have forced Guardiola's hand.
City fans had previously been happy to see Nunes depart the Etihad Stadium this summer, but his performances in recent weeks have suggested that the 26-year-old could still have a future in sky blue.
Guardiola's public comments to state that Nunes doesn't have a future in central midfield for City could seen the exit beckon for the Portuguese, but his winner against Villa could prove to be a sliding doors moment.