Manchester City face set back ahead of Aston Villa

In a setback for Manchester City ahead of their upcoming clash against Aston Villa in the Premier League, manager Pep Guardiola will have to navigate the fixture without the services of two key players due to suspensions incurred during their recent 3-3 draw against Tottenham.

Jack Grealish and Rodri, pivotal figures in City’s lineup, each received their fifth yellow cards of the season during the intense encounter against Spurs. The bookings, resulting from incidents during the match, have triggered a mandatory one-game ban for both players, ruling them out of the upcoming fixture at Villa Park.

Rodri, who had already served a three-match suspension earlier in the season, earned his yellow card for a tactical foul on Pedro Porro. Meanwhile, Grealish’s booking came as a result of kicking the ball away, prompting his absence in the game against his former club, Aston Villa.

The absence of these influential players poses a challenge for Guardiola‘s side, particularly considering Aston Villa’s strong home form this season. The suspensions arrive at a crucial juncture as Manchester City currently trails Arsenal by three points in the league standings, adding pressure to secure points in their pursuit of the title.