Man City receive fitness boost ahead of Aston Villa clash with key player returning to training

Phil Foden was spotted back in Manchester City training on Thursday ahead of the weekend Premier League clash against Aston Villa.

Foden has missed the last four City matches due to injury and illness, with the latter preventing him from playing in Sunday’s 1-0 loss away to Tottenham Hotspur. In fact, it’s nearly a month since Foden last played for the Premier League champions, when he started in the 2-1 loss to Manchester United on 14 January.

The England international has struggled to recapture his best form since returning from the World Cup and has fallen behind Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez in the pecking order at the Etihad. Foden had started all of City’s opening 10 league matches of the campaign, but has started just three of the subsequent 11 in the English top flight.

Pep Guardiola is likely to give an update on the 22-year-old’s fitness during Friday’s pre-match press conference, although that will likely be dominated by questions surrounding City’s alleged breaches of financial rules which were made public on Monday.

In a statement, City said they were ‘surprised’ by the allegations made against them by the Premier League. “The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position,” the statement continued.

However, Friday’s press conference will see a representative from the club speak publicly for the first time since the allegations were made. As well as Foden, Guardiola could provide the latest on John Stones, City’s only other injury concern.