Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, are bracing for a significant setback as they prepare to face Aston Villa. The team is likely to be without three key players due to injuries, adding an extra layer of challenge in their pursuit of the title.
City currently trails leaders Liverpool by three points in the Premier League title race. This follows a goalless draw against second-placed Arsenal last weekend. The team now faces another tricky encounter when they welcome Champions League-chasing Villa to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night (20.15 BST).
A victory would allow Pep Guardiola's men to go level on points with Liverpool. However, this task seems more daunting given that they are likely to be without goalkeeper Ederson and right-back Kyle Walker.
Injuries to key players leave big void to fill in the lineup
Ederson has been sidelined since suffering an injury when a foul on Darwin Nunez led to Liverpool's equalising penalty in last month's 1-1 draw. His absence will undoubtedly affect City's defensive strategy and performance.
Kyle Walker also suffered an injury while representing England in their 1-0 loss against Brazil. As one of City’s most reliable defenders, his absence could leave a significant gap at right-back. Adding further woes for Manchester City is centre-back John Stones who sustained an injury while playing for England - making his participation doubtful in the Aston Villa fixture.
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager, said:
"John maybe, the other two no chance. He [John] has to feel fully fit. But the injury was less than we expected. We’ll see. For today or maybe for the next games he’ll be ready."
Ake’s latest injury makes City journey tough in title race
Moreover, fellow Manchester City defender Nathan Ake was forced off just 25 minutes into their game against Arsenal due to injury concerns and is set for a spell on the treatment table which further depletes Man City’s defensive options.
The triple injury blow comes at a crucial time as Manchester city battles it out with Liverpool and Arsenal in the title race. With key players sidelined, the team will need to rely on their depth and adaptability to maintain their title challenge.
The upcoming match against Aston Villa will be a significant test for Guardiola's men as they aim to level the points with Liverpool. Sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts alike will be keenly watching how Manchester City navigates this challenging period in the Premier League title race.
