Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has defended goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and defender Marc Guehi following criticism of their form.

Both players been in the spotlight after making mistakes in Saturday’s defeat at Aston Villa, a result which ended City’s 100 per cent start to the Premier League season.

Donnarumma had already faced scrutiny this term, with his footwork highlighted as a particular area of concern.

Maresca said: “Gigio, since we started, is doing well. Like any player or any manager at some point, he is making some mistakes, but it’s part of the season.

“They are playing so many games and minutes that sometimes it’s impossible not to make some mistakes. He’s quite a strong guy.

“He knows when he makes some mistakes. He doesn’t need us to tell him. Sometimes it’s so clear, so they recognise that. It’s part of the game.”

Guehi also came under fire after a poor game against Ipswich recently when he was outpaced in the build-up to one goal and later conceded a penalty.

Maresca said: “I am completely happy with Marc because the way he reacts is fantastic.

“He is a top guy, he is one of the captains, he is a leader and I love Marc, to be honest.

“Same as Gigio, when they make some mistakes they recognise it. He has played almost all the minutes since the start of the season and so he is completely OK.”

Both players are among five who have been given three days’ holiday between the Villa game and Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Brighton.

Erling Haaland, Elliot Anderson and Josko Gvardiol have also been given time off and Maresca gave them permission to travel abroad if they wanted to.

He said: “After the Villa game we gave five players three days off to recover the energy. They are all on holiday. Three days off, energy. Go, come back with full energy then we go again.”

Second-choice goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli will play in Donnarumma’s place in midweek, as he did against Norwich in City’s last League Cup outing.

The 34-year-old Argentinian returned to the club for a second spell in the summer following the departure of James Trafford and has settled well into his role as Donnarumma’s understudy.

“He is good,” Maresca said. “Before I arrived here, I had a conversation with him and he knows exactly his role, it is important.

“He is doing well, day by day, he is helping a lot and Gigio is helping a lot. When he played some minutes he was good and tomorrow he is going to play again.”

The match is the first of two in quick succession against the Seagulls at home, with Fabian Hurzeler’s side also visiting the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday.

Maresca said: “They are doing very well, so both games are going to be tough. They are creating many chances and scoring many goals.

“We need to pay attention defensively and we need to do the right things offensively.”