New York City FC striker David Villa believes Manchester City can defeat Champions League opponents Barcelona.
Villa is a former Barca player, having won the Champions League with the Catalans.
He is now tied to City as part of sister club NYCFC and told the club's website: "I think it is a very close tie.
"City and Barcelona are two of the best clubs in the world with great players so I'm sure it will be a very good tie to watch.
"I think that Barcelona was also playing well before but they didn't get the results and always when you win games you have more confidence.
"Now they are in a very good form. They win games, they have closed the gap with Real Madrid and they won against Atletico - a very difficult team to beat - in Copa del Rey so they are in a good moment.
"I'm sure that Manuel Pellegrini and all his staff know Barcelona very well. When you face this kind of teams you have to make sure that you make it difficult for them and try to take advantage of his weaknesses."
