Jack Grealish has been defended by former Aston Villa team-mate Gabby Agbonlahor as Man City fans are furious with Pep Guardiola for benching him and starting Phil Foden instead after a no-show in the Everton draw

Gabby Agbonlahor has once again come to the defense of Jack Grealish after a Manchester City fan pleaded with Pep Guardiola to drop him.

The former Aston Villa star was part of the City side that were held 1-1 by Everton at the Etihad Stadium.

As a result, Pep Guardiola’s title hopes are fading fast, with Arsenal looking unstoppable in their current form.

Guardiola used his first team and started with Rico Lewis, Nathan Ake, Riyad Mahrez and Grealish in his XI, leaving Kyle Walker, Joao Cancelo, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez on the bench.

But despite being tied at 1-1, it was the 87th minute before Ilkay Gundogan, England star Foden and World Cup winner Alvarez were brought on the pitch.

It was a disappointing display from the entire Man City squad against Frank Lampard’s Toffees, but Grealish’s £100million price tag means he has a target on his back.

However, in reality, it was a poor performance from the England playmaker who failed to create chances for his team.

One Man City supporter Jack called into talkSPORT’s Gameday Phone-In with Jamie O’Hara and Gabby Agbonlahor, and he wasn’t in a good mood.

As part of a lengthy rant about Guardiola’s latest replacements, he took aim at Grealish and insisted enough is enough.

He told talkSPORT: “Jack Grealish, don’t get me started on him.

“Start Phil Foden. Please Pep, just throw Phil Foden on.

“Foden is the most talented young player in this country and he leaves him on the bench until there are three minutes left.

“I am enough!”

However, responding to criticism from his friend and former Aston Villa teammate, Agbonlahor came to Grealish’s defence.

The former VIlla captain said: “I thought Jack did a good job.

“I think Mahrez was poor. I would have brought Foden for Mahrez earlier.

“But Pep [who is to blame]his subs are late.

This is not the first time Agbonlahor has defended Grealish amid heavy criticism of his performances at City.

Earlier this year, fellow talkSPORT host Jamie O’Hara compared it when Roy Keane defended “his friend” Cristiano Ronaldo and admitted Grealish was not proving value for money.

“Jack Grealish is a great player, but he doesn’t do it – it’s as simple as that,” said the former Tottenham midfielder.

“I really like Jack, I have nothing against him, but he keeps getting substituted early in games, he doesn’t score goals and he doesn’t get assists.

“You are paying £100million for a player who is not performing. I’m just saying what I see.