VILLA MAN CITY

football.” Guardiola has said that Phil Foden will step into Silva’s boots when the Spaniard ends his 10-year spell with City at the end of his contract this summer.

But the City boss has already voiced his admiration for

Grealish this term.

And Pires said:

“City need to find a replacement for Silva next season – and I think Grealish is someone who Pep will look at.

“He is English, he has good experience of the Premier

League and he has a great technique.

“But I think Grealish is a player who would interest a lot of top clubs, like Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

“This has been a tough season forvilla but I think Grealish will take a lot from it.

“He has learned how to fight every weekend and we have all seen how much it means to him to play for the club.

“Playing against Man City at Wembley is a great stage for Jack.

“But not just him.this is a chance forvilla to win a big trophy and that would have a big effect on the rest of their season.”

Pires, however, believes Villa’s already Herculean task has been made even tougher by the Champions League ban looming over City for allegedly breaking FFP regulations.

The Premier League champions have won five out of the last six domestic trophies.

And Pires said: “In my experience, when your club is being attacked off the pitch then it makes you even more determined to be successful as a player.

“I think Pep and his team will want to win this cup even more than they did before.

“When you are a club like City, reaching the final is not enough.you have to lift the trophy.

“Can Villa win? In one game, anything is possible.

“I only played one season at

Villa Park, but I know it is a club with a great history – and this is a chance for the players to add to that history.”