MX23RW : Monday, January 25 11:42:02| >> :60:3069:3069:
Jan 20, 2021 at 6pm UK at Etihad Stadium
Man CityManchester City
2-0
Aston VillaAston Villa
Silva (79'), Gundogan (90' pen.)
FT(HT: 0-0)

McGinn (67'), Taylor (86'), Smith (81')
Smith (81')

Sergio Aguero remains unavailable for Aston Villa showdown

Sergio Aguero remains unavailable for Aston Villa showdown
© Reuters
The Argentine was told to isolate as a close contact of someone who tested positive for Covid-19.

Sergio Aguero remains unavailable for Manchester City's Premier League game against Aston Villa on Wednesday.

City's record goalscorer has missed City's last three games after being told to isolate as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, manager Pep Guardiola said: "He is not ready for tomorrow, he is still isolated."

Guardiola thinks City have coped well without their star striker
Guardiola thinks City have coped well without their star striker Sergio Aguero (Alex Livesey/PA)

Guardiola admits City have missed the presence of Aguero, who has also had knee and hamstring problems this season, but feels they have coped relatively well.

He said: "We need him, we miss him, his numbers speak for themselves. He's the best striker in our history. He can create and win games for himself.

"We could have complained but we did the opposite. We want him back but we have to move forward, find alternatives, use the quality we have."

Asked if City might look to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window, Guardiola said: "No."

Guardiola gave a slightly more detailed answer when asked a similar question in an interview with beIN Sports: "We will not sign any deal during the winter transfer market. We did not discuss this, but we will end the season with the players that we have now."

Aymeric Laporte has also been out through injury
Aymeric Laporte has also been out through injury (Nick Potts/PA)

Aside from an FA Cup tie in which they fielded a youth side, Villa have not played a match since New Year's Day due to Covid-19 issues.

It is unclear how strong a side Villa will be able to field but Guardiola is working on the assumption they will be at full strength.

He said: "We expect the best. I don't know the situation, I wish they are healthy and all recover well and come back healthy. This is the most important thing and I expect the best."

Defender Aymeric Laporte remains on the sidelines through injury but the Frenchman is close to returning.

Guardiola said: "He is in the last step, not (ready) for tomorrow but he started training with us yesterday."

ID:431238:cQx

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How you voted: Man City vs Aston Villa

Manchester City
77.4%
Draw
10.7%
Aston Villa
12.0%
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Aston Villa manager Dean Smith pictured on January 1, 2021
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester UnitedMan Utd19124336251140
2Manchester CityMan City18115231131838
3Leicester CityLeicester19122535211438
4Liverpool1997337221534
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs1896333171633
6Everton1710252821732
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham199552722532
8Aston Villa1792631181329
9Chelsea1985633231029
10Southampton188552621529
11Arsenal198382319427
12Leeds UnitedLeeds187293034-423
13Crystal Palace196582233-1123
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves196492129-822
15Burnley185491022-1219
16Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1954101832-1419
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton193882229-717
18Fulham1826101527-1212
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom1925121543-2811
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1912161032-225

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