Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Erling Haaland will be fit to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday, after the striker began the Champions League victory over AEK Athens on the bench.
City swept to a 5-1 win over the Greek champions at the Etihad on Tuesday night. The result helped them bounce back from last week’s European defeat to PSG and moved them into the top six of the league phase table.
Haaland passes fitness test
Haaland had been 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 his place among the substitutes against AEK.
Maresca handed a start to teenager Floyd Samba 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.
Foden stars as City’s quality tells
Phil Foden stole the show 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.
The Blues were able to give Haaland the night off. After the game, Maresca confirmed that the star man 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.”