Enzo Maresca has confirmed Erling Haaland is available for City’s trip to Aston Villa and suggested he could play alongside Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki.
Haaland was an unused substitute as Manchester City beat AEK Athens 5-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday, having picked up a knock during the previous weekend’s victory over Ipswich Town.
The striker, who has scored 12 goals this season, is ready to return at Villa Park after Maresca confirmed in his pre-match press conference that he is “100% available”.
Maresca hints at Haaland, Foden and Cherki trio
Haaland’s return leaves Maresca with an intriguing attacking decision following Foden’s hat-trick against AEK. Asked whether Haaland, Foden and Cherki could all play together, Maresca said it would depend on the game plan before adding: “I think they can play all together.”
Foden has scored four goals in his past two appearances, while Cherki also found the net against AEK. Maresca described the Frenchman as one of the best players in Europe when he receives the ball in the right positions, but stressed the importance of finding the correct balance in his side.
There are less certain fitness calls elsewhere. Nico O’Reilly, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes were all due to be assessed in Thursday’s training session after missing the AEK victory. Haaland, however, has been given the all-clear as City prepare to take their perfect Premier League record to Villa Park on Saturday.
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