Enzo Maresca confirmed that Erling Haaland will be fit to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday, after the striker stayed 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. They bounced back from last week’s European defeat to PSG and moved into the top six of the league phase table.
Haaland returns after injury scare
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 his place among the substitutes against AEK.
Teenager Floyd Samba started in his absence. The 17-year-old earned the chance with his two-goal showing up front in the Carabao Cup win over Norwich City last month.
Foden steals the show
Phil Foden took the spotlight with a hat-trick. His goals 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 result allowed City to give Haaland the night off. After the game, Maresca confirmed 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.”