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Enzo Maresca provides positive Erling Haaland update ahead of Man City’s clash with Aston Villa

2026-10-22 13:52 UTCReported

Story updated 2026-10-22 14:10 UTC

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Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca confirmed Erling Haaland is 100% available for the team's upcoming match against Aston Villa, according to EPL Index. Haaland had previously limped off in a win over Ipswich Town, causing some concern. Maresca provided the update on Thursday.

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Enzo Maresca provides positive Erling Haaland update ahead of Man City’s clash with Aston Villa — EPL Index · original article image

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Other Manchester City players, including Matheus Nunes, Nico O'Reilly, and Mateo Kovacic, are still uncertain to play due to various injuries and niggles. Maresca is waiting on another training session to assess their availability. The team's fitness will be clearer after the session.

Maresca hinted at a more aggressive attacking setup, suggesting Haaland, Phil Foden, and Ryaan Cherki could play together, depending on the game plan. This potential lineup could pose a significant threat to Aston Villa. City's stability has been affected by patchy availability in key areas.

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Reporting status: Reported
Original publisher: EPL Index ↗
Source published: 2026-10-22 13:50 UTC
Clubs covered: Manchester City, Aston Villa

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Manchester City have one clear piece of good news ahead of the trip to Villa Park, Erling Haaland is ready. After limping off following his two-goal display in the 3-2 win over Ipswich Town, there was some doubt. Enzo Maresca has shut that down. “Erling is the only one 100 per cent available,” he confirmed on Thursday. That is the headline, and for City it matters. Haaland had already logged heavy minutes for Norway during the international break, then started all three of City’s matches afterwards. He was left on the bench for the entire midweek win over AEK Athens, a night when Phil Foden grabbed a hat-trick, but the decision now looks more like management than necessity.

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Reported2026-10-26

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