Pep Guardiola confirms Man City double injury boost for Aston Villa game

Pep Guardiola has welcomed Kyle Walker and John Stones back into training ahead of Manchester City's final Premier League game of the season.

Walker and Stones were thought to have been ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up injuries over the Champions League semi-final defeat to Real Madrid; Ruben Dias suffered an injury in the home win over Newcastle that has subsequently ended his campaign early. However, the England pair returned to training on Thursday as they look to play an unexpected part against Aston Villa.

Guardiola is hoping to have as many options available to him as possible before he decides on his final lineup for Sunday, with City knowing that three points will guarantee them a fourth Premier League title in five years. There is no doubt that Stones and Walker would strengthen a defence that has conceded three goals in the last two games, but it will be a risk to play them after just a few training sessions.

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Nevertheless, the City manager is happy to have them back in the group and praised the medical staff at the club for allowing them to return ahead of schedule to give them a chance of playing in a hugely important game for the club as they look to hold off Liverpool.

"We have incredible doctors and physios and they recovered," he said. "They made partial training and we will see tomorrow but it is good for us to have them back"

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