Erling Haaland will be available for Manchester City's Premier League match against Aston Villa on Saturday after being rested for the midweek Champions League fixture. Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the striker's fitness after the 5-1 victory over AEK Athens at the Etihad on Tuesday night.
Champions League Win Over AEK Athens
City bounced back from their European defeat to PSG last week with a convincing win against the Greek champions, moving into the top six of the league phase table. Haaland had been a major doubt for the contest after limping 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.
In his absence, teenager Floyd Samba was handed a start, with the 17-year-old rewarded for his two-goal showing in the Carabao Cup win over Norwich City last month. Phil Foden stole the show with a hat-trick, adding to Elliot Anderson's opener and a strike from Rayan Cherki as City's quality proved too much for the visitors.
Maresca Confirms Haaland's Return
City were able to give Haaland the night off, and 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."
