Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that Erling Haaland and Josko Gvardiol are fully fit to face Aston Villa on October 24, following a sweeping rotation strategy in a 5-1 UEFA Champions League victory over AEK Athens that featured a Phil Foden hat-trick.
Fresh from a resounding European bounce-back at home, Manchester City turned their attention immediately toward a busy domestic schedule, where Manager Enzo Maresca implemented sweeping squad changes. The reigning Premier League leaders made eight alterations from Gameweek 7, leaving star striker Erling Haaland (£15.7m) completely unused on the bench alongside fellow rested regulars Jeremy Doku (£7.5m) and Iliman Ndiaye (£5.8m).
The tactical overhaul followed a domestic run that has seen City win all seven league fixtures under their new management, though a prior Champions League defeat to defending champions Paris Saint-Germain left the club looking for a sharp response against the Greek visitors.
Phil Foden Hat-Trick and Squad Rotation Options for Aston Villa Trip
While key figures collected valuable breathers, Phil Foden (£6.8m) seized the spotlight on the right flank before moving centrally into a false-nine position after the interval. His explosive performance yielded a decisive hat-trick, complicating attacking selections ahead of the upcoming weekend clash.
🚨💣 Enzo Maresca's key statements ahead of the Aston Villa clash:🔹 Haaland is ready to start as a regular on Saturday.Phil Foden hasn't been at the required level over the past two seasons, but he hopes he's started to regain his best form after the hat-trick against AEK… pic.twitter.com/bygL0jdThC
— https://x.com/FootballXtraa__/status/2113200524556206180
Yeah, a lot. Especially when I changed into that false nine role, I really enjoyed it a lot. I could find space in between the lines, in the pockets where I like to be, and then link the play. So, yeah, I really enjoyed that role tonight.
Phil Foden, midfielder
Rico Lewis (£4.3m) heavily influenced the attacking output from right-back, creating more chances than any other player on the pitch by sliding inside and supplying Foden’s early finishes. Meanwhile, Rayan Cherki (£8.0m) delivered a standout display in central areas, combining smoothly with teammates and capping his performance with a superb chipped finish for City’s third goal.
Enzo Maresca Clears Erling Haaland and Josko Gvardiol for Action
Pre-match concerns over squad fitness dissipated as Maresca addressed lingering questions regarding Haaland and defender Josko Gvardiol (£5.8m). The £15.7m Norwegian striker’s omission from the starting lineup was strictly precautionary.
No, no injury. It’s just to manage a little bit [his] minutes.
Enzo Maresca, manager
Maresca reinforced that stance after the final whistle, confirming that the forward experienced no lasting physical setbacks and remains entirely ready to feature in the starting XI when City travel to Villa Park.
Yeah, he’s okay. He’s okay to start on Saturday. As I said, we had five, six players on the bench that they were ready to go inside, but at the same time, they had a rest. That is good.
Enzo Maresca, manager
Gvardiol encountered a brief scare during pre-match preparations when he developed a minor back issue. However, the defender managed the discomfort well enough to play 72 minutes before being replaced, and Maresca assured reporters that he suffered no structural damage.
He’s okay. He had a small problem during the warm-up in his back, but he could play and he was okay.
Enzo Maresca, manager
Midfield Adjustments and Injury Status of Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic
Not all squad news was straightforward for the coaching staff. Matheus Nunes (£5.9m), Mateo Kovacic (£5.3m), and Nico O’Reilly (£6.3m) were entirely absent from the matchday squad after picking up knocks that forced them off during Gameweek 7 and kept them out of Monday training sessions. Maresca provided no further update on their immediate timelines following the final whistle.
Amid the fitness doubts, Elliot Anderson (£6.3m) seized his opportunity by scoring his first goal for the club, pouncing on the rebound after Enzo Fernandez’s (£6.9m) free-kick struck the crossbar. With Fernandez and Anderson both rested during the previous league fixture, both midfielders look heavily favored to retain their places in the starting lineup for Saturday’s upcoming Premier League test.