Gareth Taylor insists City’s sole focus is on beating Aston Villa as our pursuit of the WSL crown continues.

In our final home match of the season, a late Arsenal double from substitute Stina Blackstenius prevented City from moving within touching distance of the title.

Lauren Hemp had handed Taylor’s side an early lead with a clinical finish on the turn, but Chelsea can now draw level with us on points should they win their games in hand against Bristol City and Tottenham Hotspur.

But the boss insists the sole focus is on holding up our side of the bargain and getting a result at Villa Park on the final day.

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“I’ve always thought that. I’ve always said it’ll go to the final day. Nothing will change,” he explained.

“I never changed my thought process. We knew what we had to do, it would’ve been nice to win but we have another opportunity at Villa.

“We have to win the game first, and hope that’s enough to secure the title.

“Chelsea opened the door the other night and we’ve done the same. We knew we’d have to go to Villa and win at the end of the season.”

City led for 72 minutes at the Joie Stadium and were the dominant force for spells, particularly in the first half.

But the visitors had to withstand plenty of Arsenal pressure after the break, and Taylor felt a draw would have been a fair reflection on proceedings.

He added: “In the first half I thought we were good and could’ve built on what we had.

“Arsenal tried to overload it wide but left space. I think the second half, even from the first action, we were a bit deep defensively.

“They have tidy players like Kim Little who can create between the lines and cause problems.”