Pep Guardiola admits Man City 'had an exceptional player' in Morgan Rogers before midfielder's rise to Aston Villa stardom

As City prepare to play Villa in a huge six-pointer when it comes to Champions League qualification. The Villans are only one point behind City, with Unai Emery's side seventh and City fourth, and Rogers has been exceptional for Unai Emery's side this season. The 22-year-old has scored eight goals and registered nine assists in the Premier League this term.

Rogers was on the books at City between 2019 and 2023, but he failed to make a first-team appearance for the club and, after loans with Lincoln City, Bournemouth, and Blackpool, he was sold to Middlesbrough. After a single season, Villa bought Rogers for £15 million ($20m) and he has gone on to become an England international, winning three caps, with Guardiola admitting he has developed into an "exceptional" talent.

Guardiola told reporters before City's clash with Villa: "He was in the second team and sometimes he trained with us.

“We could see something . . . you know, [he] could do it, but the impact he’s had at Villa — what a player, we had an exceptional player here, absolutely.”

Villa and City go head-to-head on Tuesday evening. A win for either would hugely boost their Champions League chances.