Gary Neville heaps praise on Kevin De Bruyne's performance against Aston Villa

Pundits were effusive in their praise of Kevin De Bruyne after Man City's 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

The home side were 3-0 up at half time thanks to goals from Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez, before Ollie Watkins pulled one back after the break.

De Bruyne was left out for City's previous game as they lost 1-0 to Tottenham, but looked to be at his best on Sunday as he conducted things from midfield.

'He’s the best player in the league, isn’t he?' Gary Neville told Sky Sports after the game, 'he’s just is the best player in the league full stop.'

On what City's performance means for the title race he added: 'If you keep those main players fit and they start to really hit some form, the rest are in big trouble.'

Micah Richards also lauded the Belgian midfielder, as he said: 'Everything he does, the way he gets his head up, the way he plays them passes, he’s just got absolutely everything. In the first-half he was just like playing in the playground with his mates.

'The weight of his pass is excellent, his movement, his vision, he’s got absolutely everything a midfielder would want.

'He doesn’t have to worry, he know Haaland makes that run and he just does it. When he plays at his best, Man City could be unstoppable.'

Fellow pundit Roy Keane added that De Bruyne 'makes the others around him look better' and 'more comfortable'.

City's win moved them within three points of league leaders Arsenal, who have a game in hand.

The two sides will meet in a clash that could prove pivotal in the title race at the Emirates on Wednesday.