Manchester City defender Gael Clichy is adamant that his side can still retain their Premier League crown this season.

Despite having a game in hand on the league leaders, City currently sit 15 points behind rivals Manchester United at the top of the table.

However, the champions recovered from a large points deficit to win the title last year, and the French left-back has urged his teammates to believe that they can do it again this campaign.

"We've done it before and we will continue to look back to last season as an inspiration," Clichy told City's official website. "Yes, they are 15 points ahead, but we have our game on Monday and they can drop points in the coming weeks so why not?

"We have to give our answers out on the pitch and if we are this far behind because of what has happened so far this season then we have another 11 games to go out and put things right.

"We just need to win, keep going and see what happens. People will keep asking us whether it is over or not but we are just focusing on each game and finishing the season as strongly as possible. We are all determined and won't be giving up on anything, I can assure you."

City travel to Aston Villa on Monday.