Manchester City have just overcome a stern Arsenal test on Sunday but manager Pep Guardiola has lost Nathan Ake to an injury.
Nathan Ake limped off the pitch after just 27 minutes during Sunday’s 0-0 draw and he now joins Kyle Walker and Ederson in the medical room. Man City take on Aston Villa on Wednesday night and the manager has confirmed that Ake is going to be an absentee in midweek.
Talking about Ake’s injury, Pep told the media on Tuesday: “Injured. Hopefully, he will be back soon. I don’t know exactly the timing. For sure, the next games he won’t be ready.”
John Stones and Kyle Walker had picked up injuries while playing for England during the international break but Stones shook off his problem and was an unused substitute on Sunday.
Stones has been pictured training with the rest of the squad on Monday morning so he will be fit to start when Aston Villa come to town but Kyle Walker and Ederson won’t be so lucky.
The manager added: “I don’t think so[that Walker and Ederson will be available]. 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.”
Ederson has been missing from action since the 10th of March after he picked up an injury while playing against Liverpool and now with the Brazilian international unavailable, Ortega will remain in goal.
Nathan Ake could be on the sidelines for some time but Pep will be praying that the Dutch international is fit before Manchester City face Real Madrid. Ake’s absence means John Stones will come into the side and pair up with Ruben Dias in central defence.
Stones has played in 14 Premier League this season and against Villa, he will be fine in a central defensive role. However, with Nathan Ake missing, the left-back position will be running thin. Gvardiol will start in that role but the Manchester City manager won’t have any backup.
Man City’s draw vs Arsenal means the defending champions are now three points off the top of the EPL table so they cannot afford any more stumbles. Aston Villa are just five points behind MCFC so if they can pick up a win on Wednesday night then Emery’s side will come within touching distance of the Manchester giants.
