Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is delighted his side managed to emerge from a "difficult" January as league leaders.
Mancini has been without talisman Yaya Toure and brother Kolo throughout January but the duo will be back after City's trip to Villa on Sunday when the Africa Cup of Nations comes to a close.
The Toures and the Ivory Coast are expected to be involved in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday, but if not they will be involved in the third placed play-off on Saturday.
The City boss has also had to cope without Vincent Kompany, Mario Balotelli, and Gareth Barry through suspension and David Silva through injury.
However, Mancini's banned and crocked stars have either returned or are close to returns and City hold a two point lead at the top of the Premier League.
The Italian boss is delighted his side have managed to keep firing on all cylinders despite some notable absentees and has called on his squad to make a final push for the Premier League crown, with 14 games remaining.
He told the MEN: "It is important to be at the top at the moment - this is very important.
"During the season we know there are difficult moments.
"I don't think we had a bad month in January, but we had a difficult month because this can happen with injuries, players away and players banned.
"If you have these problems, maybe it's clear that you can't always play very well."
He added: "It is important that we stay top and don't think about the other teams."