Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has labelled Bernardo Silva as the best player in the Premier League, following their 2-1 win away against Aston Villa on Wednesday night.
After Ruben Dias had opened the scoring for the Citizens in the 27th minute, Silva finished off a brilliant counter-attacking move with a scintillating volley to double their lead just before half time.
The Portuguese playmaker has been one of City's standout performers so far this season – starting 18 of their 22 matches in all competitions – and he produced another exceptional display at Villa Park to help the Premier League champions claim their fourth successive top-flight victory.
Silva was heavily linked with a summer departure from the Etihad Stadium, however the 27-year-old stayed put, and Guardiola has since claimed that he is producing the same form which helped the Citizens clinch their second successive league title with 98 points in 2018-19.
"[Bernardo Silva] is the best, and he was the best three seasons ago when we won the title with 98 points. He has a special ability to do what he wants with the ball," Guardiola said after the match on Wednesday.
"If you watch him two or three seasons ago, you will see the same player you are seeing now. The goal was really good, both the pass and the finish. He is a player on another level, in all senses."
Silva has found the net five times in 13 Premier League appearances so far this campaign, three more strikes than he managed throughout the whole of last season.
Oliver Thomas
