Why did the Aztec make human sacrifices to huitzilopochtli?

The Aztecs made human sacrifices to Huitzilopochtli, their principal God of War and the sun, to ensure his favor and to sustain the cosmos. They believed that by offering human hearts and blood, they could nourish the deity, helping him fight against darkness and maintain the cycle of day and night. These sacrifices were seen as vital to the survival of their civilization, reinforcing social order and religious devotion within Aztec society.