Saturday 19 March 2016 21:10, UK
Francesco Guidolin wants Swansea to treat their last seven games of the season like finals despite a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa easing their relegation worries.
Federico Fernandez scored the only goal as the game finished 1-0 to take Swansea to 36 points, 11 clear of the bottom three.
However, Guidolin is keen to ensure that he players to not ease off before the end of the campaign and assume that the job is done.
"Norwich won and the relegation zone is far but we have to play with freedom now but like a final," he told Sky Sports.
"This evening we didn't play very well in the first half but it was like a final game and we won. Now for the seven games in the last weeks of this season we have to play like a final game."
The Italian was also full of praise for the impact of Leon Britton and the role he played in the team's improved second half showing after coming on as a half-time substitute.
"I know this situation and in the second half we needed a player like Leon to win the ball, take the second balls and to play the first pass right," Guidolin added. "He played very, very well and the whole team was improved."
Guidolin was also keen to stress the importance the result could have on Swansea in the long-term.
"This is the match I was waiting for, a nervous match and we didn't play well in the first half but in the second half we improved," Guidolin said.
"I think at the end it is a good victory, three points, very important and the most important thing is for the future and not having to play a game in this situation.
"Our season has been down, up, down, up and in the last part of the season we need points. It is important for the club and the team for the future to have the possibility to play without nerves but simple, easy - it is better for our players, this club and for me, as well!"
