Manchester City

Man City assistant coach Juanma Lillo speaking to Sky Sports: "He has not been here physically but he has been involved every step of the way. Everything we have done the week has been with him and through him, The only thing missing today is he is not here physically, but he will be with us every step of the way

"We have to make use of our big squad, Manu [Akanji] wasnt feeling very well. I'm not a doctor so I do not know exactly what is wrong but he is not available today."

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Turf Moor

Burnley's goalkeeper training top is a thing of beauty.

Don't mind strutting around M16 in that. Going to see if the kitman has a spare XL lying around the place.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, BBC Sport

West Ham striker Michail Antonio believes facing Manchester City is a "bonus game" because of their ability.

"City is always a bonus game for everyone else, anybody in the Premier League," Antonio told BBC Radio 5 Live's Footballer's Football Podcast.

Last season's champions have begun this campaign with two wins from two, scoring four times without reply.

They have also already secured silverware in the form of the Uefa Super Cup.

City's most recent win was against potential title challengers Newcastle on Sunday, and Magpies striker Callum Wilson believes threats from all over the pitch were key in unlocking his side's defence.

"I think as well sometimes your focus and be too much on the main threat and in the game the boys defended Haaland really well," he added.

"Then, Alvarez picked up a great pocket of space and put it in the stanch (stanchion)."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Sheffield United

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom said on Sky Sports: "You've got to pick and choose. We have to try and get something out of the game. If you think back to the semi-final against City, we defended well, but were punished for our mistakes. We want to be on the front foot and press when we can. It's easier said than done, we know that."

Sheffield United

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom said on Sky Sports: "We were really compromised in the first game against Palace, but the energy and the commitment was there. Against Forest, after the first 20 minutes we were back to ourselves. We've got limited options at the top end of the pitch, it's just the way it goes. We've got a few days left of the window as well."

Image source, Getty Images

While we're on the subject of Pep Guardiola, he will be missing from the touchline for Manchester City this afternoon.

The Spaniard is recovering from a back surgery and will miss his side's trip to Bramall Lane on Sunday, when assistant manager Juanma Lillo will take charge.

Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom does not believe the absence will affect City's players, but added: “I have experienced not being there and I hated it. I presume Pep will be the same.

“It’s worse for the manager missing games than the players performing. He won’t enjoy it. I will guarantee that. He will be wishing he was there.”

Just in case you missed them, here are the highlights from Villa's 5-0 win at Hibs this week in Europa Conference League qualifying.

Ollie Watkins had fun.

Natalie Bromley, No Nay Never podcast, external

Here's what the script initially said:

"Open your campaign at home to the treble winners, then meet the Premier League's newest debutants in their first Premier League game at Kenilworth Road".

But, as we all know by now, football rarely follows scripts.

Luton were unable to give the Premier League sufficient assurances that the improvements required to meet minimum standards for media and broadcasting would be completed in time for Burnley's visit. Offered options to either swap the fixture or postpone, Kompany opted to postpone.

Luton faced criticism and sneers, calls to forfeit the game and the points, but surely this just highlights the fairytale of the English football pyramid? If grounds like Kenilworth Road can't cling to the dream of hosting top flight football, even if it means some concessions in terms of timescales, then we might as well concede to the Super League right now.

And I can't help but feel that this arrangement has benefited Burnley a lot more than it has Luton. Call me an old romantic, but I wasn't relishing being Kenilworth Road's first ever Premier League opposition - they were nailed on to win that one!

Luton fans may have wanted a big name to kick off their home campaign - I remember celebrating Robbie Blake's winner against Manchester United the first time Turf Moor hosted a Premier League game - but their heads should want a winnable game. And we may well have been just that side.

Burnley may not have had a Premier League fixture last weekend, but they remained busy. The Clarets had a game behind closed doors against Manchester United at their Carrington training ground on Wednesday.

A strong visiting side also got a win, beating a United team that included Scott McTominay, Anthony Martial, Donny van de Beek and Jonny Evans.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Another move that has taken place between the clubs in action today is Cameron Archer leaving Villa for Sheffield United. The England U21 forward says playing regular football was one of the key factors behind his move.

The striker has signed a four-year deal with the Blades for an undisclosed fee.

After putting pen to paper, he said: "Everyone is happy if they are playing football regularly. That's something I want to do now.

"I think it was important to come here and look for Premier League football, that was key for me because I want to make that next step now and challenge myself. Hopefully I can do that here.

"Sheffield United have a long history of developing players in terms of playing and hopefully making better people as well."

Image source, Getty Images

Another new man through the entrance at Burnley is centre back Hannes Delcroix and he says it was an easy decision to sign for the Clarets once he knew the club were interested in him.

The 24-year-old is the club's 10th summer signing and arrives from Anderlecht on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

After putting pen to paper, he told the club website: "I heard I think on Monday or Tuesday last week that Burnley was interested in me.

"It went really quick. I had a phone call with Vinny and Saturday I was already on the plane. So, it went very quick. It was a very busy few days, but I am happy to be here now.

"It’s a different competition, the Premier League. Everybody knows it. It’s the best competition in the world at the moment. For me, it’s a big opportunity to come here and it’s a great team. It was not difficult to come here when I got the option."

Delcroix was born in Haiti but moved to Belgium aged two. He joined Anderlecht's academy in 2013, before making his senior debut in 2018.

He has represented Belgium at all youth levels and has made one senior appearance for the Red Devils.

Image source, Getty Images

Aaron Ramsey says he "can't wait to get started" after becoming Burnley's 11th signing of the summer.

The 20-year-old midfielder arrived from Aston Villa on a five-year-deal for a fee in excess of £12m this week and is immediately up against old friends this afternoon.

On joining the Clarets, Ramsey said: "I’m absolutely buzzing. I have been waiting to be a Burnley player for a while now and I’m really happy it’s all officially done now.

"I can’t wait to get started.

"I can’t wipe my smile off my face. When you come to a new club you want the lads to welcome you in and everyone here has done that straight away.

"It’s been really easy to settle, everyone has been amazing."

Image source, Reuters

Jeremy Doku is capable of playing on either wing, but the right side - where Riyad Mahrez played for the bulk of last season - is likely to be his home.

Jack Grealish has the left wing spot nailed down - and Phil Foden is likely to play centrally with Kevin de Bruyne currently sidelined.

Bernardo Silva, like Foden, can play centrally or out wide - with Julian Alvarez also capable of playing on the wing, although most of his games have been in the middle.

Doku played fewer minutes than any of them last season - with 13 Ligue 1 starts and 16 appearances off the bench - because of injury problems, but still managed six goals and two assists.

He netted against Metz on the opening day of this season.

Doku is more of a textbook winger than his new colleagues, or the man he is replacing [Mahrez], with over twice as many dribbles but fewer passes.

Belgian journalist Claudo Reulens said: "His speed is incredible, he has an acceleration in the acceleration. His first dribble is his best attribute.

"In the final third he has to improve [with goals and assists] but in a great attacking team like Manchester City, I am sure he will improve on that.

"He has a playing style like [Chelsea's former City winger] Raheem Sterling, but in my opinion Doku has more potential."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City dipped back into the market again this week, signing winger Jeremy Doku for around £55m.

The player admitted "you cannot imagine how exciting it is to be joining this team" after signing for Manchester City.

After putting pen to paper, he told the club website: "This is a great day for me, both personally and professionally.

"Manchester City are the best team in world football, so to be joining them is something very special for me and my family.

"I am a young player with so much learning and improving to do. Working with Pep and his staff, and playing alongside these work-class players, will make me a much better player. I feel sure of that.

"Watching City last season was amazing. To win the Treble is the hardest thing in football and they did it. You cannot imagine how exciting it is to be joining this team.

"I cannot wait to get started. Hopefully I can make the fans happy."

Image source, Getty Images

Manager Unai Emery says recent signing Nicolo Zaniolo brings a "different" attacking option to his Aston Villa squad, ahead of potentially giving the Italy international his Premier League debut at Burnley on Sunday.

Zaniolo joined Villa on a season-long loan from Galatasaray last week but was unable to feature when the club returned to European competition in midweek.

Emery said: "His first match he didn't have the right permission and he couldn't play in Europe, the two matches against Hibernian, but he is ready for Sunday and, of course, we are trying to add his quality offensively, his position on the pitch, playing right, playing left, playing higher and lower.

"He is ready to play because he's training very well, he has very good spirit and energy, he has power. He is a little bit different from the strikers we have now because he can play being versatile.

"He is training very well and hopefully on Sunday he can play. He can show at the beginning his adaptation is going well and he can show with his performances for us."

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