Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has defended underfire striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Guardiola reckons criticism of the Swede after their Champions League failure this week is unfair.

"Every time he has played, he has played well, but injuries at key moments haven't helped him," the Barca coach said.

Reports in the Spanish press on Friday linked Barca with a summer bid for Villa and Guardiola was coy on the chances of the Spain striker joining the club.

"It's normal that these type of stories come out this time of year," he said. "But I'm not the right person to talk to."