Manzambi (calf) remains questionable for Saturday's Premier League clash against Manchester City and will undergo a late fitness assessment after missing Wednesday's Champions League victory over Viking, according to coach Unai Emery.
Analysis:Manzambi faces a race against time to recover from a minor calf injury ahead of Saturday's encounter against Manchester City. The attacking midfielder was unavailable for Wednesday's Champions League victory over Viking, and manager Emery has confirmed that a final decision regarding his availability will be made following Friday's training session. The short turnaround between fixtures leaves limited recovery time, although the coach has not ruled out his involvement. Manzambi had been enjoying an impressive run of form before suffering the setback, registering three goals and two assists across his previous four competitive appearances. His potential absence would represent a significant blow to Villa's attacking options, with Emiliano Buendia potentially retaining the No. 10 role while Alysson and Ibrahim Mbaye provide alternatives on the flanks. Even if Manzambi receives clearance to feature, his recent fitness concerns could result in a reduced workload against Manchester City.
