Man City XI vs Villarreal: Starting lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Champions League today

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·21 ottobre 2025

Man City XI vs Villarreal: Starting lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Champions League today

City out to right wrongs of matchday two

Manchester City tonight take on Villarreal in the Champions League.

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Pep Guardiola’s side are looking to get back to winning ways on the continent after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Monaco last time out.

That followed an opening 2-0 win over Napoli at the Etihad Stadium on matchday one.

Now, in their trip to the Estadio de la Ceramica, Rayan Cherki could make his first appearance in Europe for his new side since his £30million move from Lyon in the summer.

The Frenchman has had an injury-hit start to his City career, but is back fit, impressing his manager in the meantime.

“He is one of the most talented players I have ever seen,” Guardiola said of the attacking midfielder.

There was not much by way of rotation from Guardiola for City’s 2-0 win over Everton at the weekend, with Erling Haaland notching a brace and playing the full 90 minutes.

Gianluigi Donnarumma has made an impressive start to life at his new club, and he continues in between the sticks here.

Rodri remains sidelined with a hamstring problem, while this game comes too soon for Rayan Ait-Nouri, who remains on the comeback trail from his own ankle issue.

In the engine room, it is Nico as the holder and he is paired with Rico Lewis and Bernardo Silva.

Out wide, Jeremy Doku looks to have cemented his place on the left, while Savinho played against Everton off the right.

The central-striking berth isn’t even a debate, although Omar Marmoush is back in the first-team fold, making the bench against Everton.