The Premier League champions are in poor form and are still missing a key player for the trip to Aston Villa.
Manchester City's torrid run of misfortunes has been exacerbated by another injury to a key defender. Ruben Dias has been ruled out for “three to four weeks” due to a muscle injury, Pep Guardiola confirmed on Friday.
The Portuguese defender only recently returned from a calf injury but suffered another blow in last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United. Dias will miss the entire Christmas schedule and may not be back in time for the all-important Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain on January 11.
“It's a muscle problem and he will be out for three to four weeks,” Guardiola revealed at a press conference. “After 75 minutes against United he felt something. But he is so strong and wanted to stay on the field. Now he is injured.”
Manchester City predicted that the team would face Aston Villa
As strange as it is to say from a team that has achieved four consecutive championships, Man City appear bereft of confidence and in dire need of a change of fortune. They take on Aston Villa on Saturday in the first match of the Premier League weekend, traveling to face the side that comprehensively beat them last season.
Manchester City's recent poor form (eight defeats in their last 11 games) has been a shock, but has been fueled by a recent injury crisis. Dias is now out again and adds his name to Rodri, Oscar Bobb and Nathan Aké on the City injury list.
However, Guardiola had good news for City fans on Friday, revealing that John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Mateo Kovacic are back in full training. Goalkeeper Ederson is 'a doubt', but his injury is not considered serious.
Manchester City predicted team: Ederson – Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol, Rico Lewis – Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku – Erling Haaland
Before the trip to Villa Park, Guardiola reflected on the poor form: “I'm doing well. I'm a normal person with feelings like all of us. When the situation goes well, we are better, but that is normal. I wouldn't go to the press conference if we were 1-0 up and expressed something I didn't feel.”
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