Pep Guardiola reveals why Morgan Rogers left Man City after Aston Villa star haunts former boss with dazzling performance

Rogers set up Jhon Duran with an excellent pass to give Villa an early lead against City before the midfielder struck midway through the second half as Unai Emery's men claimed a 2-1 win to leapfrog the reigning Premier League champions into fifth place.

Rogers was 17 when he joined City from West Brom in 2019 but did not make it to the senior team as he was loaned out before joining Middlesbrough in 2023, and then ending up at Villa at the start of this year. After his impressive display on Saturday, Guardiola defended the club's decision to let him leave as he admitted there was no place for him in a team that went on to win the Champions League.

“It was a team that won the treble. Sometimes it’s the right time to give the [player] a chance," he told reporters. "Of course, everyone knows how good is Morgan. In that age, at the moment, we have the players we have that allowed us to create the most successful eight years in football history. In our club, comparing in this 35 or 40 days it’s not good. Sometimes when they arrive they are three years younger, in that moment there are players in their prime, David Silvas, Bernardos and Riyads [Mahrez] and Raheems [Sterling]. Sometimes it’s difficult and that’s the only reason why. That situation right now, of course these types of players would be with us but it’s always about the right moment. I’m happy for him as he’s a lovely guy, he exploded last season and this season. He’s an exceptional player."

Guardiola's team have lost nine of their last 12 games in all competitions and sit sixth in the Premier League. They will hope to get back to winning ways when they face Everton on December 26.