Haaland back in City squad for trip to Villa Park

Good news at the Etihad. Erling Haaland is back in the fold for Manchester City ahead of Saturday's trip to Villa Park, head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed. The Norwegian had stayed on the bench for the full ninety minutes of Tuesday's 5-1 Champions League rout of AEK Athens, a decision that had set off alarm bells among City fans.

It's easy to see why: Haaland has 12 goals in nine matches so far this season, a run of form that keeps him as the team's main attacking threat. Seeing him left out of the squad, even for tactical reasons, raised questions about his fitness. Maresca moved quickly to put those concerns to rest.

"We have a session this afternoon. The injured players may or may not be available, there are still some doubts," the coach explained at his press conference. The rest of the injury report is less clear cut: Matheus Nunes, Nico O'Reilly and Mateo Kovacic have been improving in training over the past few days, but whether they'll be involved at Villa Park remains uncertain.

For us, Erling is the only one who is 100 percent available.Enzo Maresca

City head into the match as Premier League leaders, three points clear of defending champions Arsenal. Maresca, in his first season in charge after leaving Chelsea, has started with seven straight league wins, a perfect run that hasn't gone to his head.

Hungry for more despite the perfect record

Far from easing up after an unbeaten start, Maresca stressed that the group is still pushing for more.

The mood is very good. I've said it many times, the mood is good. We're happy with our start, but we're hungry for more wins. We're pleased with where we are, but we want more.Enzo Maresca

Asked whether other title contenders could already be written off, the Italian was cautious: "It's too early. It's seven games, there are many more to come. It's too early," he said, making clear that nothing is being taken for granted in the locker room.

Beyond Haaland, another standout name this season is Rayan Cherki. The Frenchman has racked up six goals and two assists so far, and Maresca had no shortage of praise for him.

If we're able to keep him there, and if we're able to find him between the lines, in the right position, I think he's one of the best players in Europe.Enzo Maresca

With Haaland back on the team sheet and the fitness of the other three still to be determined in the hours before kickoff, City will look to extend their perfect Premier League run at Villa Park after three straight home matches.