Manchester City welcome Aston Villa to the Etihad for Sunday’s Premier League clash, but Pep Guardiola will once again be without John Stones as the 28-year-old is still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Stones limped off halfway through City’s FA Cup win over Arsenal and was expected to be out for a month, so it may be some time before he’s available to Guardiola. Premier Injuries say Stones is still ‘ruled out’ ahead of the weekend clash and predict he will return in March.
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The England international has made 18 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring one goal with two assists. Stones has been a regular when fit, playing in six of City’s first seven league games while starting eight of their last 10, but he’s not going to miss a handful of matches again.
Guardiola isn’t short of options in defence with Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji available in the right-sided centre-back role, so they can cope in his absence. Vital Man City recently noted Stones has missed more than 110 games for City due to injury and fitness woes, so the 28-year-old being away for another gameweek is sadly a common occurrence.
In other news, Ederson must shine v Aston Villa as stats show decline from last season
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