Update: Five players could miss Man City vs Aston Villa Champions League qualification six-pointer News

Latest Man City injury news as Pep Guardiola and Co. prepare to face Aston Villa in the Premier League

Several players are expected to miss the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Aston Villa this evening.

Pep Guardiola’s side go into the fixture on the back of a 2-0 win over Everton at the weekend. The victory at Goodison Park moved City into the top five as they continue to chase Champions League qualification.

City are guaranteed to be without some key players due to injury for the clash against Villa. Rodri remains sidelined with a knee injury he suffered back in September that required surgery.

Erling Haaland has been sidelined with an ankle injury he suffered in the FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth last month, but is expected to return before the end of the campaign.

John Stones remains unavailable with a thigh injury he suffered against Real Madrid in the Champions League, but City hope to have the defender available again in the weeks ahead.

It’s a similar story for Nathan Ake, who is currently unavailable after suffering a foot injury during the win over Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup. City will hope to have Ake available before the end of the season after undergoing surgery last month.

Ederson also remains a major injury doubt for City after missing the win over Everton. The goalkeeper was substituted during the 5-2 victory over Crystal Palace earlier this month, and it remains unclear when he will be available once again.

For Villa, they are expected to have a full squad available to face City this evening. Manager Unai Emery was forced to leave Pau Torres, Lamare Bogarde and Leon Bailey out of the matchday squad for the win over Newcastle United at the weekend due to only being able to name 20 players on the team sheet.

Speaking ahead of the clash against Crystal Palace, City boss Guardiola opened up on the ‘challenge’ of managing injuries within i=his squad.

“[Injuries] happened all season, we adapt,” he said. “You can see it as a problem or a challenge, the position is a disaster or it could be worse.

“I’m happy with the way we handled the situation and where we are.

“The challenge is to qualify in the Champions League next season, the home games, difficult ones we have and tomorrow we have a team in incredible top form in the last month or two months.

“Always it’s difficult with Palace here, I admire a lot the manager (Oliver Glasner) and way they play, the talent and physicality there are no doubts. But we have to be optimistic to finish well this season.”

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