Pep Guardiola gives fresh injury update on superstar after Aston Villa victory
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola provided a fresh injury update on midfielder Kevin de Bruyne following the club’s 2-1 comeback victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Wednesday evening.
Kevin de Bruyne, 29, was forced out of the FA Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea on Saturday at the Wembley Stadium after he had landed awkwardly near the touchline in the second half. At first glance, the injury looked bad and there were fears of him being out injured for a long time. However, the tests had revealed the midfielder suffered an injury to his right foot and ankle that would see him miss the Premier League fixture against Aston Villa.
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The Belgium international did miss Manchester City’s victory over Aston Villa, but Guardiola expects his player to be fit for next week’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain, if not in the Carabao Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur at the Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
"“It was less than we expected – yesterday he felt much better,” said Guardiola when asked about De Bruyne. “Today I didn’t speak to him but we’ll see tomorrow in training – I think if he’s not ready for the final, but maybe the semi-final of the Champions League.”Source: Manchester Evening News"
Manchester City bounced back from the disappointing exit in the FA Cup on Saturday with a league win against Aston Villa. The Cityzens were off to a worst possible start as John McGinn scored for Villa after just 21 seconds, but managed to claw their way back in the 22nd minute through Phil Foden. Guardiola’s side took a 2-1 lead five minutes before the break through Rodrigo, who scored a looping header past the advancing goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
City suffered a big blow before half-time as John Stones was given the marching orders by VAR for serious foul play after a reckless challenge on Jacob Ramsey. However, Villa were also reduced to 10 men before the hour mark as Matty Cash was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Foden in a space of just four minutes. Guardiola’s side managed the second half very well, and the win has taken them 11 points clear of cross-town rivals and second-placed Manchester United.
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Coming back to Kevin de Bruyne, he has been such an important player for Manchester City over the last few seasons. The Belgian’s leadership skills, energy, off the ball movement and ability to unlock rigid defences make him one of the best players in the Premier League. He is irreplaceable in Guardiola’s system and his impact on the pitch, even if not on his best days for City, is irrefutable.
Luckily, the injury to De Bruyne isn’t a serious one and there is no point risking him against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup final. Guardiola’s words on the 29-year-old playmaker expected to be fit to play against PSG in the Champions League next week should offer a lot of relief and confidence to the City fans, at least.