Man City boss Pep Guardiola says he's been 'so unfair' to star before Aston Villa clash

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has issued an apology to his winger Jeremy Doku, admitting he's been "unfair" to him over his game time. The City boss has left him warming the bench in recent fixtures, limiting the Belgian international to a supporting role.

Despite starting just once in the past five games - a victory over Leicester - Doku made a compelling case for inclusion by turning the tide as a substitute against Everton over the weekend. With the scoreline at 0-0, the winger's introduction was key as City clinched a hard-fought 2-0 win.

Post-international break, Guardiola's formation has favoured a defensive solidity and possession-based midfielders to try and allow City to dominate games, which has negatively impacted Doku and Savinho.

Yet, after witnessing Doku's influential cameo at Goodison Park - markedly more impressive than his outing at Man Utd - Guardiola openly recognised the difficult situation for both players, with the Belgian star in particular getting a special mention.

"I've been so unfair with him in the last games, because I remember the games against Spurs away and Brighton, for example," Guardiola said.

"Without him it would not be possible, but the only reason that they have not played lately is because we didn't attack in the last games, with wingers - we were more full-backs wide, and more players in the middle like Bournemouth. But it's only my reason. I feel sorry for him and for other ones.

"But today [Saturday] the impact has been much, much better than Old Trafford. Old Trafford was not good, and here the impact was, you know, how the ball dropped the team, and his threat, arriving to the byline.

"Jeremy in the final third is unstoppable, he's an incredible, incredible football player, and I'm really pleased that today he played really good."