The teenage Belgian midfielder was one of the key components in our PL2 title winning side of last season before subsequently making the move to Southampton last summer.
The 19-year-old was one of a number of City youngsters to make the switch to St Mary’s Stadium in the close season with goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, winger Sam Edozie and defender Juan Larios also joining the Saints.
All have subsequently gone on to feature in the Premier League this season, although Larios’s opportunities have been cut short by injury issues.
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Speaking at his Good Friday pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to St Mary’s Stadium, Guardiola spoke about the collective progress of the former City starlets.
But he paid particular tribute to the impact made by Lavia who has regularly caught the eye in his role as Saints’ holding midfielder and who also won his first senior cap for Belgium late last month.
“I am really impressed with what Romeo has done and is doing,” declared the City boss.
“We had, and we have, an incredible opinion about him. We thought to keep him, but maybe he would not (get) enough minutes like he has in Southampton.
“I’m so sorry for Juan Larios because he’s an exceptional guy and has been injured most of the time.
“Sam Edozie I lost a little of his pace, I don’t see him so much.
“(It’s a) Good experience to go to the Premier League and play at this early age. So important.”
Kicking off at 5.30pm on Saturday, this weekend’s trip to St Mary’s Stadium will once again see City play before league leaders Arsenal.
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Mikel Arteta’s side don’t play until 4.30pm on Sunday when they travel to Liverpool, which means that City could reduce the gap at the top to five points – for 22 hours at least - if we triumph at Southampton.
But asked whether he thought playing before Arsenal represented an advantage as the title race enters the final furlong, the boss was unequivocal in his response.
“I don’t think so,” Pep asserted.
“There is no advantage. When we played a title race against Liverpool, sometimes we played before, sometimes later.
“We have to win our games.”
Southampton v City coverage
We visit the St Mary’s Stadium for a 17:30 (UK) kick-off on Saturday 8 April for our latest Premier League encounter
Our Matchday Centre will begin with text updates at 15.30 before Matchday Live with special guests Paul Dickov and Shaun Goater begins at 16:25 shortly ahead of team news.
The former City strike duo will look ahead to the game with the usual mix of fun and analysis before Alistair Mann and Michael Brown talk you through the action with our live radio commentary.
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After the game, our studio guests will wrap up by reflecting on events on the pitch and looking at what it means for City’s title challenge.
Reaction from Pep Guardiola and his players will be available shortly afterwards and then highlights and a full-match replay (for CITY+ and Recast subscribers) are on mancity.com and our official app in the evening.
