Pep Guardiola reveals latest Man City injury headache

Manchester City’s torrid run of misfortunate has been compounded by another injury to a key defensive player. Ruben Dias has been ruled out for “three to four weeks” with a muscle injury, Pep Guardiola confirmed on Friday.

The Portuguese defender only recently returned from a calf injury but picked up another knock in last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United. Dias will miss the entire Christmas schedule and may not be back in time for the all-important Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain on January 11.

“It’s a muscular problem and he will be out for three to four weeks,” Guardiola revealed at a press conference. “After 75 minutes against United he felt something. But he’s so strong and wanted to stay on the pitch. Now he’s injured.”

Manchester City predicted team to take on Aston Villa

As strange as it is to say of a team on a run of four consecutive championships, Man City look devoid of confidence and are in desperate need of a change of fortunes. They take on Aston Villa on Saturday in the first game of the Premier League weekend, travelling to the team that comprehensively outplayed them last season.

Manchester City’s recent run of poor form - eight defeats in their last 11 fixtures - has been a shock but has been sparked by a recent injury crisis. Dias is now out again, adding his name to Rodri, Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake on the City injury list.

However Guardiola did have some good news for City fans on Friday, revealing that John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Mateo Kovacic are back in full training. Goalkeeper Ederson is “a doubt”, but his injury isn’t thought to be serious.

Manchester City predicted team: Ederson - Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol, Rico Lewis - Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku - Erling Haaland

Speaking ahead of the trip to Villa Park, Guardiola reflected on the run of poor form: “I’m fine. I’m a normal person with feelings like all of us. When the situation is going well we are better but it’s normal. I would not go to the press conference if we were 1-0 up and expressing something that I didn’t feel.”

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