Josko Gvardiol: “I'm happy to be back [in left centre-back]. Just play simple, protect and defend the goal. Obviously we have new goals this season and want to aim high. But it's quite early to talk about goals, the season is long.”

Happy 35th birthday, Ilkay Guendogan! 🥹🩵

Scott Carson has announced his retirement from football.

Carson: “After an incredible journey between the posts, it’s time to hang up the gloves. Football has given me everything - memories, friendships, and moments I’ll never forget. Thank you to every teammate, coach, fan, and club that’s been part of my the ride. It’s been an honor.”

Wishing you all the very best for the future, Scott! 🩵

Vincent Kompany does not have a release clause in his @Bayern_Munich contract, sporting director Christoph Freund has confirmed.

Freund: “We extended so he stays a long time. That’s his and our intention, a release clause really has no place in such a contract. We're convinced Bayern and Vincent Kompany are an excellent fit. It’s also a signal to the team and everyone we want continuity, and we have the perfect coach for Bayern.”

Pep Guardiola’s pre-Aston Villa press conference.

Abdukodir Khusanov and Rodri remain unavailable for Man City against Aston Villa this weekend, confirms Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola: “Still the guys who were not able in Villarreal, still they are not ready.”

Guardiola: “The admiration I have for Unai [Emery] is so high; incredibly consistent, well-prepared, and so smart. He's really good.”

Guardiola on Nico's injury: “I didn't see the doctors, and we'll see tomorrow - today and tomorrow - how does he feel... Something with his feet.”

Pep Guardiola on Man City's best one-v-one players: “When Jeremy [Doku] is in his top, it's Jeremy. When Savio is in his top, it's Savio. When Oscar [Bobb] is in his top, it's Oscar. These three are the best as wingers. Also Rayan Cherki, in a more central position in one against ones is really good, too.”

Guardiola: “Well, in the first two or three games, for sure we are out [of the Premier League title race]. And Liverpool is already done, and now it looks like Liverpool is done. And I'll tell you that they will be back.

I know all the pundits, all the specialists, former players, they know everything that is going to happen after five games - I'm not able to do that. Always I wait for 10, 15 games to know exactly what is going on.

But I think obviously Liverpool and Arsenal are there, someone else will be there, and hopefully we can be there.”

Pep Guardiola on Matheus Nunes: “He can be an incredible right-back. Because he's a holding midfielder with incredible physicality going back, and as much as he's focussed, he can become one of the best.

It's a question of him now, we talked a lot about that. It's just change your mind and feel that you can feel that, because he has special attributes to play in the sides. In the last two or three games, he has played unbelievable!”

Josko Gvardiol: “At the beginning of the season you could feel it [Man City being underestimated]. It was just about Liverpool and Arsenal. After the run we've had, everyone is getting aware we’re still here. There are lots of games to play and I think it's going to be an interesting season.”

Gvardiol on Man City ‘going under the radar’ this season: “It motivates you. When you see no one talks about you and they're all talking about Arsenal and Liverpool - which is normal. They are good teams. We will see.”

Happy Birthday, Shaun! 🎂🩵

A big day at Villa Park 😤💪

What do you think the final score will be? 🔮

Wishing Steve Howey a Happy Birthday 🥳🩵

Your City side to face Villa 🩵

XI | Donnarumma, Nunes, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Reijnders, Bernardo (C), Bobb, Foden, Savinho, Haaland

SUBS | Trafford, Aké, Marmoush, Kovacic, Cherki, Doku, Nico, O'Reilly, Lewis

KICK OFF!!