Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola stood behind his centre-back John Stones after he committed another howler.

The England international mistimed a jump and was on the ground as Mbwana Samatta thumped in an Anwar El Ghazi cross.

The goal gave Villa hope, but they were unable to get an equaliser and ultimately lost the game 2-1.

And Guardiola praised Stones for showing character after his error.

"That's what I'm most pleased about," said Guardiola to reporters.

"Always with the players we speak about how you react.

"It wasn't easy for him, in front of 90,000 fans and everyone watching here in England, but after that he never made one mistake and made two big clearances at the end.

"He's a lovely person, always there for us. I know he struggled a bit recently because he didn't play much, but we need him.

"He was involved many times in winning most of the titles we won, and when you win titles it's because everyone is involved."