Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed the club will accept a four-game ban for Sergio Aguero following his dismissal against Chelsea on Saturday.
Aguero, 28, was shown a straight red card by referee Anthony Taylor in the dying embers of City’s 3-1 home defeat to Chelsea after a reckless challenge on David Luiz.
The Argentina international’s tackle left Luiz in a heap requiring medical attention and sparked a brawl between the two teams that saw his City teammate, Fernandinho, also sent off for an altercation with Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
“We are going to accept the ban from the Football Association and work with other players for the games,” Guardiola said ahead of their Champions League clash against Celtic on Tuesday.
“There will be changes [to Tuesday’s team]. I am happy to give minutes to players who deserve it. Whether Sergio will play, I will decide today or tomorrow.”
Having already been charged by the FA earlier in the season after elbowing Winston Reid during City’s 3-1 win in August, Aguero will be handed an extra-game ban on top of the regulation three-match suspension.
It means Aguero will miss Premier League matches against Leicester, Watford, Arsenal and Hull before returning to contention for their trip to Liverpool on New Years Eve.
Only Alexis Sanchez and Diego Costa (both 11) have scored more goals in the Premier League this season than Aguero (10).
For more stats on Sergio Aguero, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
