Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca confirmed that Erling Haaland is available to return for Saturday's trip to Aston Villa, while three other players remain doubtful. Haaland, who has scored 12 goals in nine games to start the season, stayed on the bench throughout City's 5-1 Champions League thrashing of AEK Athens on Tuesday.
Maresca said Matheus Nunes, Nico O'Reilly and Mateo Kovacic had been improving as City prepare to visit Villa Park after three consecutive home games. "Yesterday, they were all improving, and we'll see this afternoon. For sure, Erling is the only one 100% available," he told a news conference.
City go into the game three points clear of champions Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, with Maresca having begun his first season in charge with seven straight league wins. Despite the perfect start, the former Chelsea coach insisted the team is not resting on its laurels. "We are happy with our start but we are more hungry for more wins," Maresca said.
Rayan Cherki has also been a major contributor to the positive early weeks of Maresca's tenure, with six goals and two assists so far. Maresca praised the France international as one of Europe's best players when deployed in the right areas. "If we are able to find him between the lines, so in the right position, I think he is one of the best player in Europe," Maresca said.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing