Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered a positive update on Erling Haaland following an injury scare during Sunday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa at Villa Park.
The Norwegian striker crashed into the post late in the second half while attempting to convert Omar Marmoush’s cross, briefly raising concern among fans after staying down clutching his shoulder. Although the goal was disallowed for offside, Haaland was able to finish the match — and Guardiola confirmed afterwards that the issue was not serious.
Guardiola confident over Haaland fitness
Speaking after the final whistle, Guardiola said he expects Haaland to recover quickly and dismissed fears of a significant lay-off.
“Hopefully he will be fine,” Guardiola said. “He took a big hit on the post, but he was able to continue. We will see tomorrow, but I don’t think it’s anything serious.”
City’s League Cup tie against Swansea later this week was already earmarked as a rest opportunity for Haaland, with the club prioritising his fitness ahead of next weekend’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
Haaland’s minor scare comes during a rare quiet spell in front of goal — the 25-year-old failed to score for club or country for the first time in 12 matches, ending a remarkable run of consistency.
City’s overreliance on Haaland resurfaces
While Haaland has already netted 15 goals and one assist in 12 appearances this season, Guardiola has repeatedly urged his other attacking players to share the goalscoring load.
That warning resurfaced following City’s defeat at Villa Park, where despite dominating possession and creating chances, no one managed to find the net.
“We haven’t scored a lot of goals this season and we have to make a step up,” Guardiola told Sky Sports. “Today it was difficult — they defended really well, with a back five or even six at times. We had to bring the ball outside with Savinho and then Jeremy [Doku].
“We made the crosses, how many times Phil attacked or Tijjani. We were there, we were close. I had the feeling that in other games we won, we were not so productive.”
The City boss added that his side struggled with Villa’s physicality and pace on the counter-attack.
“When they got behind us, we were not good enough to regain the ball. With the speed of [Ollie] Watkins and [Morgan] Rogers, and the strength of [Amadou] Onana and [Boubacar] Kamara, it was tough. They are a Champions League-level team, and we competed really well. We are in a good way.”
Haaland’s 2025/26 season so far
Despite drawing a blank at Villa Park, Haaland remains the Premier League’s most lethal striker. His 15 goals in 12 matches continue to underline his importance to Guardiola’s setup — even if City’s overreliance on him is becoming increasingly apparent.
| Erling Haaland 2025/26 Season Stats (All Competitions) | |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 12 |
| Goals | 15 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Shot Accuracy | 59% |
| Goals per Game | 1.25 |
With Haaland’s consistency unmatched, Guardiola’s challenge remains finding secondary scoring threats — particularly from wingers and midfielders who have yet to replicate their 2024/25 form.
Analyst Verdict — by John William, FootballPlace
I think this was another reminder that Manchester City’s attack can look predictable when Haaland is shut down. Guardiola knows he cannot rely solely on his striker’s brilliance forever — and while the Norwegian’s hunger is unquestionable, City’s creative support around him must improve.
As for Haaland’s condition, the update is a relief. Even a minor absence would have disrupted City’s rhythm, but his durability continues to impress.
Key Insights
- Pep Guardiola confirmed Erling Haaland’s collision with the post was “nothing serious.”
- The striker is expected to miss the EFL Cup tie with Swansea as a precaution.
- Haaland’s scoring streak ends at 12 matches for club and country.
- City’s 2–0 loss to Aston Villa leaves them chasing early title rivals Arsenal and Sunderland.
- Guardiola insists “we are in a good way” despite growing concerns over attacking depth.
What’s Next
Manchester City return to action midweek in the League Cup before hosting Bournemouth next Saturday. Guardiola is likely to rotate heavily, with Haaland expected to rest alongside several senior players.
All eyes will be on whether City’s supporting cast can respond — because as Guardiola himself admitted, it’s time for others to “step up” in front of goal.
👉 Pep Guardiola confirms Erling Haaland avoided serious injury — but calls on others to share the scoring burden.
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