Stones can still be a rock for Pep

JOHN STONES has been hailed for showing the character to recover from his first-half cock-up.

Stones lost his footing in the 41st minute, allowing Anwar El Ghazi to cross for Mbwana Samatta to head Villa back into the game.

Pep Guardiola was unable to mask his anger at the goal, but was full of praise for Stones afterwards, for recovering his composure and not putting a foot wrong thereafter.

The City boss hugged Stones on the pitch at the end as the Blues celebrated, with Guardiola impressed with the mental fortitude shown by the 25-year-old.

“That’s what I’m most pleased about,” said the City boss. “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 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.”

Stones (above), signed from Everton for £47million in 2016, has regressed since then, losing his place for club and country.

His mistake made City work harder for the trophy than they perhaps should have. But the character he showed in recovering from it suggests Stones may yet have a future at the Etihad – if he can cut out the gaffes.