City can smell it

They can almost reach out and touch it now. They can envisage the blue ribbons being tied, the dignitaries gathering and fireworks being lit.

Manchester City are closing in on the Premier League trophy and their utter confidence was reflected in Yaya Toure's storming breakaway late on in the 4-0 victory against Aston Villa that brought City's 100th goal of the season and mirrored the team's own unflinching run towards the finishing line.

They need just one point. A draw against West Ham United on Sunday brings the title. Unlike others, City will not slip now, not with Edin Dzeko in this sort of prolific form, scoring five times in his last three appearances, including City's first two against Villa. Not with reserves of the quality of Stevan Jovetic stepping from the bench to score City's third on Wednesday.

Not with Toure driving them on through the middle, creating and also scoring, rounding off an astonishing final half-hour. Toure's goal was his 20th in the Premier League this season, making him only the second midfielder to reach that mark, along with Frank Lampard. Toure revealed in the programme that he was "disappointed" not to be voted PFA Player of the Year but praised the winner, Luis Suarez. He added poignantly "the most important thing is trophies for the team".

So City will not slip now. Not with Pablo Zabaleta a force down the right, standing up to be counted when it mattered, putting in the ideal crosses when it mattered. Every team needs a Zabaleta, the heart and soul, the non-stop dynamo, a leader without the armband. Others take the headlines but City fans know Zabaleta's importance. They sang his name constantly on Wednesday. In times of darkness, the athletic Argentinean lights the way.

City will not slip now with Joe Hart so good in goal, with Vincent Kompany fit and with Martin Demichelis so improved. They will not falter with creative talents of the calibre of Samir Nasri and David Silva. They will be guided wisely by Manuel Pellegrini, who will remove any potential anxiety with his calming words and serene demeanour. City fans held up a banner hailing Pellegrini as "this charming man" and he represents the club well, and the sport by advocating such attacking football.

One cloud threatens to rain on City's parade. Uefa is to punish them for excessive spending, and the importance of balancing books is entirely logical, but City are tackling their losses, are building for the future, and are, increasingly, a going concern. They will have to take their medicine, their huge fine and squad cap in the Champions League. They will have to offload some of those high earners who contribute little.

But, barring a freakish final Sunday, they will be the champions of England.

EPL Fixtures

Sunday

Cardiff vs Chelsea (4pm)

Fulham vs Crystal Palace (4pm)

Hull vs Everton (4pm)

Liverpool vs Newcastle (4pm)

Man City vs West Ham (4pm)

Norwich vs Arsenal (4pm)

Southampton vs Man United (4pm)

Sunderland vs Swansea (4pm)

Tottenham vs Aston Villa (4pm)

West Brom vs Stoke (4pm)