Erling Haaland was a major doubt for Manchester City's Champions League victory over AEK Athens after limping off against Ipswich Town

Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Erling Haaland will be available to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday, despite the striker being rested on the bench during Manchester City's Champions League triumph over AEK Athens.

City cruised to a commanding 5-1 victory against the Greek champions at the Etihad on Tuesday evening, recovering from their European setback against PSG the previous week and climbing into the top six of the league phase standings.

Haaland's participation in the match had been uncertain after he hobbled off just before full-time in Saturday's Premier League victory over Ipswich Town, though he was deemed fit enough to be named amongst the substitutes against AEK.

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Seventeen year old Floyd Samba was given the nod to start in his place, having impressed with a two-goal performance in the Carabao Cup victory over Norwich City last month. However, it was Phil Foden who captured the headlines with a hat-trick, complementing Elliot Anderson's opening goal and a characteristically elegant Rayan Cherki finish as City's superiority overwhelmed their opponents.

The Blues were able to afford Haaland an evening's rest, and following the match, Maresca confirmed the talismanic forward will feature in the lunchtime clash at Villa Park this weekend, reports the Manchester Evening News.

"He's okay to start on Saturday," said the Italian. "We had five or six players on the bench who ready to go inside but at the same time they had a rest so we're happy with that."