Manchester City Pablo Zabaleta is adamant that his side's failure to defend their Premier League title was down to a lack of consistency.

Rivals Manchester United secured this season's and their 20th league crown after beating Aston Villa 3-0 at Old Trafford on Monday.

While he wants City to regroup in preparation for trying to regain their title, Zabaleta insists that the club must lift the FA Cup in May.

"For Manchester City it is important to keep winning trophies every year," Zabaleta told Sky Sports News. "We know how difficult it is in the Premier League and also Europe you play against big teams and this season we have been inconsistent and that cost us the title.

"United have been more consistent. They have been better and kept winning and they deserved the title.

"We just need to keep working and be positive because if you look at the team we have fantastic players and want to bring more success."

City have lost just one game more than United, but they have drawn five more than the Red Devils.