Man City get a fitness boost ahead of their match against Aston Villa, as a key player returns to training.

Manchester City should have more attacking options this weekend against Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Phil Foden returned to Manchester City training on Thursday ahead of the weekend Premier League clash with Aston Villa.

Foden has missed the last four City games due to injury and illness, the latter of which kept him out of Sunday’s 1-0 loss at Tottenham Hotspur. In fact, Foden hasn’t played for the Premier League champions since the 14th of January, when he started in a 2-1 loss to Manchester United.

Since returning from the World Cup, the England international has struggled to regain his best form and has fallen behind Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez in the pecking order at the Etihad. Foden started all of City’s first ten league games of the season but has only started three of the last 11 in the English Premier League.

Pep Guardiola is expected to provide an update on the 22-year-fitness old’s during Friday’s pre-match press conference, which will likely be dominated by questions about City’s alleged financial rule violations, which were made public on Monday.

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

However, a representative from the club will speak publicly for the first time since the allegations were made at Friday’s press conference. Guardiola, in addition to Foden, could provide an update on John Stones, City’s only other injury concern.