Pep Guardiola credits Aston Villa performance in Carabao Cup final defeat

City put in a powerful display to secure their third straight Carabao Cup trophy, but were made to work by Dean Smith's side at Wembley.

Sergio Aguero netted the opener after Phil Foden's header, before Rodri headed home a controversial second.

Jack Grealish's challenge on the byline appeared to hit a City player before heading out, but a corner kick was awarded - which the Spanish midfielder headed home.

Mbwana Samatta gave Villa a lifeline before the first half was out, but the second half failed to produce any more goals ensuring City lifted the trophy.

Guardiola hailed Villa's spirit in the performance, despite the end result.

"Of course, I credit Villa." He said.

"They had a clear chance in the first minute with the header [from] El Ghazi and after that action from the corner. [But] apart from the goal they didn't do much.

"I'm very pleased with the performance we played, especially in the second half when 2-1 up.

"Sometimes you don't know what you have to do, attack or just keep the result you want in the first half and we did [it] properly.

"We create a lot of chances, unfortunately, we could not score the third one - and always the game is open.

"For the long balls, they are strong, anything can happen.

"After a lot of energy we spent in Madrid, we played in general really well and we have another trophy in our club."

The result furthers Guardiola's success at the Etihad, having taken charge 2016 - the Spaniard has since won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two Community Shields and now three EFL Cups.

He admitted his delight at adding to his tally during one of City's most successful periods in history.

"When we won the first title here against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, we've played in 11 competitions - we've won eight of these 11, so it's a lot.

"Sometimes you win a title and after you don't win the next one for a long time.

"What's important is that everybody knows and has responsibility to fight and to win the titles and the games and that means a lot."

Foden put in a man of the match performance during the encounter, and was a regular thorn in Villa's side on the flank, creating the opener with his header across goal for Aguero to fire home.

Guardiola admitted that it was yet another impressive showing for the youngster - who has continually impressed despite not featuring week in, week out for the club across all competitions.

"Every time he trains he's incredible and he's always ready" he said of the youngster.

"We know that we can count on him. Being wider, as he played today, sometimes in more positions inside.

"I'm more than pleased for the game he played and the media decided he was the man of the match so [we] congratulate him for it."