After being left out of Chelsea’s Premier League opener against City on Sunday, Sterling is facing an exit from Stamford Bridge after being told he is not part of Enzo Maresca’s plans. Reports now state that the Blues have offered Raheem Sterling to Aston Villa.

Emery masterminded Villa’s qualification for the Champions League last season, and Guardiola was highly complimentary when discussing his Premier League rival.

Ahead of a clash between City and Villa last season, Guardiola began waxing lyrical over the Villa manager’s quality and style of play. The City boss began his charm offensive by insisting that he was not surprised by the impact that Emery had at Villa Park.

“[They are] excellent the way they play,” Guardiola said at the pre-match press conference. “Unai Emery and the consistency in every season, Villa is impressive and always he has done really well.

“It’s not a surprise the quality of him and his management and the quality of the team. They have really good set-pieces and transitions. The shape is really clear what they do. They can do high pressing and afterwards defend very well with a back four or back five and a really structured line. That is why they are where they are, fighting to be there.”

The City manager’s comments on Emery will now be ringing in Sterling’s ears as the winger makes up his mind over his future. Sterling will be eager to get his career back on track after his move to west London saw him lose form as well as his place in the England squad.

A switch to Villa Park in a bid to escape his Stamford Bridge purgatory could prove the answer. Despite featuring in all of Maresca’s pre-season games, football fans were shocked as the 29-year-old was unceremoniously left out their matchday squad on Sunday, with Sterling’s camp releasing a bombshell statement on his situation prior to kick off.

The £47.5m signing is believed to be among the 15 Blues players up for sale and has even been banished to train away from the first team. Sterling wants to stay in the Premier League and has now been offered to Emery’s side, who can offer the lure of Champions League football.

With a move away being sought, Maresca has now clarified that Sterling is being sold for footballing reasons as he prefers a certain kind of player on his flank.

“I’m not saying Raheem is not a good player but I prefer different kinds of wingers,” he said. “This is the reason why. I spoke with Raheem, one-on-one the day before City and I explained him exactly the situation. In this moment, they (Sterling and Ben Chilwell) are training apart. The situation with them both is quite clear. There is not any update on their situations.”