Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is being forced to tinker with his team for the visit of Aston Villa – live on talkSPORT.
A hamstring injury for midfielder-cum-centre-back Rodri will be a blow to the Spaniard having used the ex-Atletico Madrid man alongside Fernandinho in defence in recent weeks.
It’s not the only injury issue he has to contend with either as Oleksandr Zinchenko must sit on the sideline after surgery on a knee problem.
Opponents Villa will prove a stern test as they get the best out of captain Jack Grealish, and they will hope to improve their survival chances with an unlikely result at the Etihad.
City, though, can’t afford another slip as they chase Premier League leaders Liverpool, who are ahead by six points in the title race.
Manchester City team news
Guardiola will be without midfielders Rodri and Zinchenko for the match and possibly a lot longer.
The former is awaiting diagnosis on a hamstring issue, while his Ukrainian team-mate has just had knee surgery. A start for John Stones looks likely.
Aymeric Laporte remains a long-term absentee.
How Man City could look
Aston Villa team news
James Chester is fully fit and available after his injury absences, along with Jonathan Kodjia, and Kortney Hause.
The only player out for the Villans is Jota who is recovering from an operation on his hernia.
How Aston Villa could look
Saturday is GameDay on talkSPORT as we bring you THREE live Premier League commentaries across our network, starting with Man City vs Aston Villa at 12:30pm
