Mancini demands Manchester City make United fight for title

BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom (AFP) - Roberto Mancini has called on Manchester City to use last week's victory over Chelsea as inspiration to keep the pressure on Manchester United when the champions travel to Aston Villa on Monday.

Mancini's team kept alive their slim title hopes with a 2-0 victory over Rafael Benitez's side last weekend, but United remain firmly in the driving seat after a 4-0 rout of Norwich on Saturday opened up a 15-point lead at the top.

Although Villa are battling against relegation, Mancini feels the clash will be a stiff test of his players' character because anything less than a victory would effectively end their hopes of retaining the title.

"I think it will be a difficult game. They play for relegation and will be strong. For us, it will be important," Mancini said.