Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Erling Haaland will be fit to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday, after the striker stayed on the bench for Manchester City’s Champions League victory over AEK Athens.
City swept to a 5-1 win over the Greek champions at the Etihad on Tuesday night. The result sent them back into the top six of the league phase table and answered last week’s European defeat to PSG.
Haaland returns after injury scare
Haaland entered the contest as a major doubt. He limped off shortly before the final whistle in Saturday’s Premier League win over Ipswich Town. He proved fit enough to take a place among the substitutes against AEK.
City were able to give their star man the night off, and Maresca confirmed afterward that Haaland will return for the lunchtime trip to Villa Park this weekend.
“He’s okay to start on Saturday,” said the Italian. “We had five or six players on the bench who ready to go inside but at the same time they had a rest so we’re happy with that.”
Foden stars as Samba starts
Teenager Floyd Samba started in Haaland’s absence. The 17-year-old earned the chance with his two-goal display up front in the Carabao Cup win over Norwich City last month.
It was Phil Foden who stole the show, though, with a hat-trick. He added to Elliot Anderson’s opener and a typically classy strike from Rayan Cherki, as City’s quality proved too much for the visitors.