Pep Guardiola has revealed that John Stones could be involved in Manchester City's Premier League clash against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
The defender picked up a groin injury during the international break with England and was initially ruled out of the Citizens' 0-0 draw with Arsenal on Easter Sunday.
However, Stones was surprisingly named in the matchday squad and watched on as an unused substitute, with Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol all preferred in a four-man defence.
While Akanji, Dias and Gvardiol all played the full 90 minutes to help Man City keep a clean sheet versus the Gunners, Ake was forced off in the 27th minute with an apparent calf injury.
The Dutchman is the latest defender to pick up an injury after Stones and Kyle Walker, the latter missed the draw with Arsenal along with first-choice goalkeeper Ederson.
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Three Man City players ruled out, one doubtful for Villa clash
Man City have had just three days to prepare for Wednesday's encounter with top-four hopefuls Aston Villa and Guardiola has delivered a fitness update on each of Stones, Ake, Walker and Ederson.
Asked at a press conference on Tuesday if any of the quartet would be fit to return against Villa, Guardiola said: "I don't think so. John maybe, [Walker and Ederson] no chance.
"[Stones] has to feel fully fit. But the injury was less than we expected. We'll see. Maybe next games he'll be ready."
On Ake, Guardiola added: "He's injured. No (his season is not over yet). There's one month and a half, two months left.
"Hopefully he will be back soon. I don't know exactly the timing. Next game he won't be ready."
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How could Man City line up defensively against Villa?
With Ederson ruled out, Stefan Ortega will be handed another start between the sticks, while Akanji, Dias and Gvardiol are all expected to retain their places in the back four.
Man City will not want to rush Stones back amid a hectic fixture schedule, so a start against Aston Villa seems unlikely for the Englishman, meaning that Akanji could be tasked with partnering Dias in central defence as Gvardiol continues at left-back.
In the absence of Walker, teenager Rico Lewis – who came on for Ake against Arsenal last weekend – could be handed just his sixth Premier League start of the season at right-back.
Man City currently sit third in the Premier League table, two points behind Arsenal in second and three points behind new leaders Liverpool, but the Citizens could move level on points with the Merseysiders with a victory on Wednesday, before Jurgen Klopp's side host Sheffield United on Thursday.
Guardiola will be seeking revenge against Unai Emery's side after they suffered a 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture at Villa Park in December – Man City have since put together an impressive 23-game unbeaten run across all competitions.
Oliver Thomas
