Pep Guardiola has lavished praise on Matheus Nunes after the 26-year-old scored a dramatic late winner for Manchester City in their 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday night.
The reigning Premier League champions went ahead through Bernardo Silva in the seventh minute, only for Marcus Rashford to draw the visitors level.
The match appeared set to end in a draw but Nunes, in the 94th minute, struck late to spark wild celebrations around the Etihad Stadium.
City are now up to third in the Premier League table, with Guardiola hopeful his side can qualify for next season's Champions League.
Pep Guardiola has lavished praise on Matheus Nunes after the 26-year-old scored a dramatic late winner for Manchester City in their 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday night
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And the Spaniard was full of praise for Nunes following the game, insisting the former Wolves star is 'loved' at the club despite having to play out of position.
“He’s a person who is incredibly loved," said the City boss.
“When he talks in the media it’s always serious but in the locker room he’s the complete opposite, always laughing.
“He’s playing not in a natural position, like Nico [O'Reilly]. If you told me at the beginning of the season you are going to play at the end of the season to reach a final and to fight to qualify for the Champions League with Matheus and Nico at full-back I would say what are you talking about.
“He has done well, has incredible pace and is a different type of player to Rico.
“In the small spaces, [Rico] is so clean the way he plays.
“[Nunes’s] physicality, when he has to run, and hold good wingers he is able to do it and he’s playing better.
“Not just for the goal. Both have been so important.”
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Matheus Nunes scored a late winner as Man City battled their way past Aston Villa on Tuesday night
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While Nunes scored the winning goal, it wouldn't have been possible without the contribution of Jeremy Doku.
The Belgium international provided the assist for his team-mate as City boosted their chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League.
Guardiola added: “Jeremy always gives you something for the crowd and he can change the game.
“Of course he can play all of it. In the first three or four actions against [Axel] Disasi he was being held by Malen and he could not do the action.
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“But at the end, for me, Jeremy is the best player in the world in the first five metres. Over the first five metres he’s unstoppable.
“He made the action and today an incredible good cross and to score a goal you have to be there.
“Gundo was there, Nico was there, and today Matheus was there and we could score and win the game.”
On the result, he continued: “Of course it’s important, you don’t have to be a scientist to realise we played against Aston Villa one of the best teams.
Pep Guardiola was thrilled as Man City beat Aston Villa
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“You saw the games against Newcastle and PSG. In top form, the quality, the manager and everything. It’s extraordinary.
“We performed like we were in the past with commitment. We conceded not much. We didn’t create much either.
“But the back-four again has been amazing, all the players. So in terms of qualification for the Champions League of course it’s important.
“But at the same you have to be calm, focus on the semi-final and then prepare for four finals. Two at home and two away, game by game.”
