Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini’s striking options are becoming extremely limited after Wilfried Bony limped out of Sunday’s goalless draw at Aston Villa with a hamstring injury.

The Ivory Coast international had to be substituted before half time as City laboured to a disappointing stalemate against the Premier League’s bottom side, who were managed for the first time by Remi Garde.

“We lost a striker and that was one more unfortunate thing to happen but we had to find a way to work without him,” said Pellegrini afterwards.

“But I always say if you can’t win, don’t lose. Nine out of ten of games like this you may lose on the counter-attack. We concentrated and didn’t allow Aston Villa any chances.”

Former Swansea City striker Bony looks set for at least a month-long lay-off, while Sergio Aguero is expected to return to action after the international break, having missed the last six games with his own hamstring complaint.

Pellegrini’s third-choice striker is the 19-year-old Nigerian Kelechi Iheanacho and he may look to bolster his attacking options in January.

Bony has only started eight Premier League matches since his £28million switch from Swansea in January 2015 and has already had a spell on the sidelines this season because of a bout of malaria and then a foot injury.

Manchester City, 2.00 to win the Premier League title outright this season, are 1.67 to beat Liverpool in their next match on Saturday, November 21 while a draw is available at 3.75 and a victory for Jurgen Klopp’s side at 4.75.