The latest on Phil Foden, Diego Carlos, and Bertrand Traore ahead of Manchester City vs Aston Villa (Premier League)

Manchester City host Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, for the first time since a memorable and dramatic final day of last season.

The Premier League champions have once again been handed an opportunity to close the gap on Arsenal this weekend, after Mikel Arteta’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford on Saturday afternoon.

A single goal from Ivan Toney – who scored two at the Etihad Stadium to secure all three points against Manchester City prior to the World Cup – rescued a point for The Bees, and grants City the chance to move within three points of Arsenal this weekend.

The closing down of that gap would make for even more excitement as Manchester City and Arsenal enter a vital week in the Premier League title race, with the pair going head-to-head for the first time this season on Wednesday night.

Ahead of a crunch clash between Manchester City and Aston Villa – a game that saw the scoreline tied at 1-1 in the reverse fixture back in September – here is all the latest team news and fitness updates from both camps!

Manchester City

Phil Foden is expected to be back in contention for selection this weekend against Aston Villa, after missing the trip to Tottenham through a late illness – as revealed by Pep Guardiola.

The Manchester City boss revealed ahead of the defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, “[Phil] Foden was with us in the hotel, he felt unwell.”

In less positive news, John Stones is expected to remain sidelined through a muscular injury sustained during the 1-0 win over Arsenal in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round last month.

The initial diagnosis on the England international defender was that he could be ruled out for up to a month, and as such make a return for Manchester City during the late stages of February or in early March.

Aston Villa

Bertrand Traoré is described as ‘moving closer to full fitness’ by Aston Villa ahead of the trip to Manchester City, after being recalled from a loan spell at Istanbul Basaksehir FK on transfer deadline day last month.

After sustaining an injury with the Turkish club, it is stated that Traoré has been undergoing a rehabilitation programme and has now returned to training with his Aston Villa team-mates.

Elsewhere, central defender Diego Carlos is also ‘close’ to full fitness after being sidelined with a ruptured Achilles tendon since August, and is now in the latter stages of his recovery schedule – with an expectation that he could re-join his teammates next week.

Speaking on his side’s injury situation, manager Unai Emery said ahead of their match against the Premier League champions, “Bertrand Traore is starting to train with the team normally, but this is the first day.”

“Diego Carlos is doing his work individually, and I think next week he’ll start with us, maybe, doing our work. Of course, that is very good news. For Sunday, the players’ last training is tomorrow, and hopefully they will be ready to play.”