Manchester City are dealing with several injury concerns following their first Premier League defeat of the season, a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa on Saturday. Nicolas Jackson gave Villa an early lead after Marc Guehi miscontrolled a pass from Enzo Fernandez. City equalised just after half-time through Erling Haaland's header, but a Villa counter-attack led to Jackson's strike squirming under Gianluigi Donnarumma to restore the lead. City could not recover, with Haaland missing chances as Villa held on for the win.
Nunes and Ndiaye fitness updates
Matheus Nunes was not in the matchday squad to face Villa due to a groin injury. In his post-match press conference, Enzo Maresca said: "Matheus could be available for the next game." His potential return date is October 28 against Brighton.
Iliman Ndiaye, who set up Haaland's equaliser, was substituted in the second half, raising fitness concerns. However, Maresca eased those fears, saying: "He's okay, he had cramp, he was tired but he was very good between the first half and the second half." Ndiaye is also expected to be available for the Brighton match.
O'Reilly, Kovacic, and Semenyo status
Nico O'Reilly, who missed the midweek match with a back issue, returned to the bench against Villa but was an unused substitute. He could return next week, with a potential return date of October 28.
Mateo Kovacic also returned to the bench on Saturday after missing the midweek game, but he too was an unused substitute. His potential return date is also October 28.
Antoine Semenyo remains a long-term absentee with a leg injury. Maresca confirmed on Monday that he will be sidelined until December, saying: "In the first moment we expect an even worse injury so we were more worried but after the scan we are less worried. It could be eight weeks. Now the most important thing is to recover it. When he is back, around December, we have a new player. It's not muscular."
