Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard jokingly pleaded with Pep Guardiola to rest Erling Haaland when his men lock horns with champions Manchester City.
Having picked up their fourth title in five seasons, City opted to shuffle the pack this summer and Haaland was the marquee signing. Guardiola splashed out £51million to win the goalscoring lottery as Norway sensation Haaland, 22, continues to pay that outlay back with interest.
Nine goals in five appearances marks an early-season record in the Premier League era and the former Borussia Dortmund man netted hat-tricks against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest most recently.
