Villa fan here, been watching Jack his whole career.
I watched the semi-final on TV and thought he looked far from his best. At Villa he had a task to take games by the scruff of the neck and make stuff happen, whereas at City he seems to be expected to take more of a supporting role. It's probably not worse for the team, considering the other stars you have, but it doesn't help Jack with trying to live up to the price tag.
Can't believe the level of ire and volume of posts aimed at him here, though. I didn't think he particularly shone yesterday, but he looked more of a threat and less profligate than your other forward players (except Mahrez when he came on). Got a goal and should have had at least 2 assists.
Mostly it makes me sad that, as a player who's universally hated by opposition fans, he's moved to a club where so few seem willing to stand by him. He shoots, you call him selfish. He passes, you call him meek. He takes a risk and loses the ball, you call him wasteful. He plays safe and protects the ball, you call him cowardly.
I saw Pep the other day describe him as a "lovely lad" who's "incredibly loved" in the dressing room, and that fits with the player I always knew, but there's still those here who'll call him a bad influence on Foden because they're friends who have each individually made stupid mistakes in the past.
Here's what I know about Jack, having watched him since he was a teenager. He's insanely talented at what he does - and given the chance, what he does can win you matches, he takes instruction really well from people he respects, he's a hard worker whose languid style on the ball sometimes makes it look otherwise, and he'll never stop trying his best for the team. He thrives on being hated by his rivals, and on having people look to him to make a different, and on repaying the faith of those who stand by him.
I don't know what the future holds, but I wouldn't bet against him becoming a huge star for you guys. I think a lot of you underestimate and misconstrue his character.
A couple of years ago I saw him tear Liverpool apart. 2 goals and 3 assists, and a level of performance that wasn't out of the ordinary for him. Liverpool may be a different beast now, but not as different as the gulf between the Villa team that beat them then and the City team that just lost.
If Smith got that out of him, I've got to believe Guardiola can do more.