Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has talked up the importance of Sergio Aguero to his side following his performance in the 4-0 win over Aston Villa this afternoon.
Aguero scored two goals to help his side bounce back from a run of three consecutive league defeats, and it could have been more had he not hit the post with a second-half penalty.
The Argentine is one of a number of key players who have missed time through injury for City so far this season, and Pellegrini admits that his side could be closer to the top of the table had he had Aguero fit and firing throughout the campaign.
"I always say it is a team game not an individual game, but of course there are players that are very important," he told reporters.
"Sergio makes a difference. That's why maybe three weeks ago when we lost against Leicester and Tottenham I said it was to the squad's credit to be fighting for the title with so many important players like [Vincent] Kompany, [David] Silva and Kun (Aguero) having been injured.
"But of course when you have your best players it is better for the team. When you don't have them you need a squad, but if you ask me I always want to play with Sergio the way he played today."
Despite the win, City remain 10 points adrift of league leaders Leicester City, albeit with a game in hand.
