Pep Guardiola hailed the transformative impact of Ruben Dias after the Portugal centre-back helped turn Manchester City into the meanest defence in the Premier League.

Dias arrived from Benfica in a 68 million euro (£62 million, $79 million) deal two days after City were thrashed 5-2 at home by Leicester in their second game of the season.

The 23-year-old has started all 15 league games since then and City have kept nine clean sheets to close to within two points of leaders Manchester United, with a game in hand.

“It has been massive” said Guardiola on Dias’ leadership. “He has the ability to live every single action during 95 minutes on what he has to do and helping his mates - the full-backs, the holding midfielders - being always concentrated.

“It is not easy to find that in someone who is 23-years-old.”

Dias has struck up a formidable partnership with John Stones at the heart of the City defence, conceding just once in 10 games when they have started together.

“We knew the quality they had on the pitch, we knew a little bit their personality, but we have been impressed at the consistency to be ready mentally and physically to play every three days,” added Guardiola.

“We were solid, conceding few chances and this season we don’t make the mistakes that we did (in the past) to give opponents easy goals.

“You need to be good in set-pieces, good up front, good defensively, in many aspects.

‘No excuses’ for virus-hit Villa ahead of EPL return: Dean Smith says Aston Villa were taken aback by the speed of the coronavirus outbreak at the club but said there would be no excuses as they prepare to return to Premier League action.

Villa have not played in the English top-flight since New Year’s Day.

Nine players and five staff tested positive for Covid-19 and the club’s training ground was closed.

Smith’s side, in 11th place, now find themselves at least two games behind the rest of the Premier League and four fixtures behind some teams.

Agence France-Presse