Pep Guardiola comments on Jack Grealish as City book EFL Cup final place vs Villa

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted he is a ‘big fan’ of Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish.

The Etihad boss was speaking in the aftermath of the club’s 0-1 home defeat to Manchester United in the EFL Cup.

Having won the first leg 3-1, City did enough to progress through to the competition’s final, where they will meet Villa who beat Leicester City on Tuesday.

City will be the overwhelming favourites at Wembley and have the chance to win the trophy for the third consecutive year.

Standing in their way though are Villa who are being led by the brilliant Grealish, someone who has caught the Spaniard’s eye previously (Daily Mail).

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Big congratulations for Dean Smith. They have one of the best players in the league in Jack Grealish. I’m a big fan of him. We are going to try [to win].”

Grealish has been outstanding for struggling Villa this season, contributing nine goals and seven assists in 26 games.

The 24-year-old is continually standing up to be counted for, and his form will be key to the club’s survival hopes.

His form could also be a big factor in whether or not Villa can upset the odds against City at Wembley.

Villa fans react

Although Villa fans were pleased to hear such compliments from the two-time Premier League winning manager for their man, many predictably had the same message for the Spanish tactician: