Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Erling Haaland will be fit to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday, after the striker was left on the bench for the 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 saw them bounce back from last week’s European defeat to PSG and move into the top six of the league phase table.
Haaland passes fitness test
Haaland was a major doubt for the contest. He limped off shortly before the final whistle in Saturday’s Premier League win over Ipswich Town, but he was fit enough to take a place among the substitutes against AEK.
City were able to give the striker the night off, and after the game Maresca confirmed he 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 was handed a start in Haaland’s absence. The 17-year-old was rewarded for his two-goal showing up front in the Carabao Cup win over Norwich City last month.
It was Phil Foden who stole the show, however, 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.