Iñigo Pérez oversees first Villarreal session as Foyth rejoins group, Levante friendly added | OneFootball

Iñigo Pérez oversaw his first Villarreal training session on Thursday, nine July 2026, with Juan Foyth back with the group after an Achilles injury in January. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the squad moved on from medicals to start on grass at the Ciudad Deportiva José Manuel Llaneza.

There are no new signings yet, the session instead featured returning loanees Carlos Romero and Thiago Fernández, while Ilias Akhomach was absent.

Compared with last season, Villarreal begin without Dani Parejo, Alfonso Pedraza, Thomas Partey, Alfon González and Rafa Marín. Seven World Cup 2026 participants are still on holiday, Alex Freeman, Renato Veiga, Tani Oluwaseyi, Tajon Buchanan, Pape Gueye, Nicolas Pepe and Logan Costa.

To bolster numbers, Pérez drafted in 11 academy players, Carlos Maciá, Alassane Diatta, Cheikh Thiam, Dani Budesca, Rubén Gómez, Lautaro Spatz, Ibrahim Diallo, Dani Requena, Nizar El Jmili, Pau Cabanes and Álex Forés.

Work continues on Friday, ten July 2026, with a double session at 9.30 and 18.30, aimed at building fitness before the first summer friendly. Villarreal face Benfica on 17 July at the Estadio Algarve in Faro, kick-off 20.45.

A further warm-up has been added, Levante visit on Wednesday, five August, at 10.00, at the Ciudad Deportiva José Manuel Llaneza. Entry is restricted to Villarreal season-ticket holders, giving supporters a close look at progress before LaLiga EA Sports starts.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo