Overview
- Nico Gonzalez limped off in the win at Villarreal after a challenge from Thomas Partey, with Pep Guardiola describing the issue as a knock to the feet.
- Mateo Kovacic replaced Gonzalez and made his first club appearance of the season following summer Achilles surgery.
- Guardiola expressed cautious optimism about Gonzalez’s availability, but the club will assess him before the trip to Aston Villa.
- Rodri remains sidelined by a hamstring problem sustained at Brentford and is expected to miss the match at Villa Park.
- Manchester City beat Villarreal 2-0 to reach seven points from three Champions League games, with goals from Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva.