Overview
- Rodri remains sidelined with a hamstring problem and will miss the Champions League match at Villarreal, with Guardiola also saying Aston Villa is unlikely.
- Mateo Kovacic returned from an Achilles layoff with substitute minutes against Everton, and Guardiola plans to limit his workload.
- Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki made bench cameos on their returns, while Rayan Ait-Nouri has resumed training but was not selected.
- Centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov is still out with an ankle issue, and Nico O’Reilly is being assessed after a late knock that Guardiola believes is not serious.
- Manchester City beat Everton 2-0 through an Erling Haaland brace, extending an eight-match unbeaten run as Nico González continues to provide midfield cover.