Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has described Stevan Jovetic as a "really important player" following his display in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night.

The striker netted a brace for the Citizens as they went on to claim a 5-0 victory over Wigan Athletic at the Etihad Stadium in the third round of the competition.

"I think it is very important for Stevan," Pellegrini told reporters. "He wasn't playing normally because he had some physical problems but the last two weeks he has been working hard and I am sure he is going to be a really important player for us."

City travel to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.