Manchester City Face Goalkeeper Crisis as Ederson Doubtful for Aston Villa Clash

Manchester City might have to shuffle their squad again this weekend due to a new fitness concern in their lineup. The defending Premier League champions are set to face Aston Villa at Villa Park in an early Saturday kick-off, aiming to bounce back after a tough loss to Manchester United.

In their last game, City took the lead with Josko Gvardiol’s header. However, a late penalty from Bruno Fernandes and a goal from Amad Diallo secured a dramatic 2-1 victory for United at the Etihad Stadium. The defeat left Pep Guardiola’s side in fifth place, nine points behind league leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.

As City struggles with several injuries, another problem has surfaced in their goalkeeping department. During his pre-match press conference, Guardiola revealed that first-choice goalkeeper Ederson is doubtful for the match against Aston Villa.

“Ederson, I don’t know if he will be ready for tomorrow (Saturday), and we have to continue. It’s the only thing we can do,” Guardiola said, without providing further details on the nature of the injury.

If Ederson is unable to play, Stefan Ortega Moreno is likely to step in. Ortega has already proven himself trustworthy in recent matches, especially in big games.

City’s issues don’t end with Ederson’s uncertainty. Key defender Ruben Dias has been ruled out for up to a month after suffering a muscular injury during the second half of the Manchester United game.

On the bright side, Guardiola has confirmed the return of defenders John Stones and Manuel Akanji, who are fit again after recovering from injuries. Young full-back Rico Lewis is also back in contention after serving a suspension.

With these challenges piling up, Guardiola faces a tough task to ensure his team remains competitive. The clash against Aston Villa will be crucial for City as they aim to climb the table and keep their title hopes alive.