Manchester City, Erling Haaland and Enzo Maresca
22 October 2026
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Erling Haaland is available for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa. The Norwegian striker was rested during City’s 5-1 Champions League victory over AEK Athens but is fit to return as the leaders aim to extend their perfect domestic start.
Haaland has scored 12 goals in nine matches across competitions this season. Maresca confirmed that the forward was fully available while Matheus Nunes, Nico O’Reilly and Mateo Kovačić remained doubtful pending fitness assessments. City have won all seven opening Premier League matches and hold a three-point lead over Arsenal. Maresca said the squad remains focused on improving rather than celebrating its early position.