Manchester City continue their UEFA Champions League campaign on the road, as they face Villareal at the Estadi de la Ceramica.
The Blues have picked up four points from their opening two games, with a win against Napoli at the Etihad Stadium and a 2-2 draw away to Monaco last time out.
This will be the first of two visits to Spain for the Blues in their league phase campaign, with the next coming at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid.
Here are five things to look out for as City travel to Villarreal:
Gvardiol coming back into the team
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City participates in a training session at Manchester City Football Academy on October 20, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City participates in a training session at Manchester City Football Academy on October 20, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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After being rested against Everton, we can expect Josko Gvardiol to come back into the team tonight.
The Croatian defender was rested after having recently returned from injury, off the back of a season with over 3000 minutes played (more than Rodri the year before he tore his ACL.)
Gvardiol’s minutes are being managed wisely but I expect him to be able to start the next two games against Villarreal and Aston Villa, before being rested against Swansea City next week in the Carabao Cup.
Bernardo starting next to Nico in midfield
Manchester City’s Nico Gonzalez (centre) and Bernardo Silva (right) during a training session at the City Football Academy, Manchester. Picture date: Monday October 20, 2025. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)
Manchester City’s Nico Gonzalez (centre) and Bernardo Silva (right) during a training session at the City Football Academy, Manchester. Picture date: Monday October 20, 2025. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)
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It’s a tough away ground that City will be playing at, and I expect to see Bernardo Silva play in central midfield, slightly ahead of Nico Gonzalez.
Nico, Tijjani Reijnders and Phil Foden have been starting together in recent matches, but Bernardo replaced Reijnders in the second half against Everton and had a better game than the Dutch international.
I expect Foden to get the edge to start as the ten, though another possibility would be to see Reijnders as a ten and Foden off the right, particularly if Matheus Nunes starts at right backs and overlaps.
But when it comes to the double pivot in possession, I’m fairly confident that Pep Guardiola will go for the experience and composure of Bernardo alongside Nico.
Villarreal’s threats
Nicolas Pepe of Villarreal CF is in action with the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports football match between Real Madrid CF and Villarreal CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain, on October 4, 2025. (Photo by Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Nicolas Pepe of Villarreal CF is in action with the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports football match between Real Madrid CF and Villarreal CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain, on October 4, 2025. (Photo by Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Villarreal will know that they can’t play City at their own game, but the pace and threat from the wings can certainly cause them a problem.
Manor Solomon and Nicolas Pepe, as well as former Leicester City and Newcastle United player Ayoze Perez, have all featured in the Premier League before and will know how to get at City.
Marcelino’s side have started the season well in third place in La Liga, and with the goals spread very well across the team they have numerous different ways in which they can hurt the Blues.
Haaland’s goals
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Erling Haaland of Manchester City looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton at Etihad Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Erling Haaland of Manchester City looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton at Etihad Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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City’s number nine, who’s scored in twelve consecutive games including two hat tricks and four braces for club and country, will be expecting to score tonight.
Erling Haaland has been going blow for blow with Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe this season by scoring in almost every game, to the point where he more or less guarantees goals.
He’ll be disappointed in himself if he doesn’t score (he was gutted when he didn’t score a third against Everton) and given City’s reliance on him for goals recently, his output will be sorely needed.
A win in a tough atmosphere
VILLARREAL, SPAIN - OCTOBER 21: General view inside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Villarreal CF and Manchester City at Estadio de la Ceramica on October 21, 2025 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
VILLARREAL, SPAIN - OCTOBER 21: General view inside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Villarreal CF and Manchester City at Estadio de la Ceramica on October 21, 2025 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
UEFA via Getty Images
Villarreal have a passionate local fanbase who can create an excellent home atmosphere, which makes their board’s decision to agree to take part in a game against Barcelona in the USA even more baffling.
But that’s beside the point; City will be facing them under their own lights, and it won’t be easy against one of the best teams in Spain so far this season.
But I expect City, who have looked a completely different outfit since the September international break, to come in full of swagger and confidence and get a vital three points in the Champions League group phase.