Haaland In Form as City Travel to Villarreal

Manchester City travel to Villarreal for a Champions League tie while carrying momentum from back-to-back Premier League wins after Erling Haaland's second-half double beat Everton 2-0, a strike that took him to about 23 goals in 13 club-and-country games and roughly 96 Premier League goals as City went top of the table. City arrive under pressure in Europe, seeking to end a five-game away winless run in the Champions League after a 2-2 draw with Monaco highlighted ongoing away concerns. Villarreal, yet to win in this season's Champions League, have been inconsistent and face several defensive absences — including Logan Costa and Pau Cabanes (ACL), Willy Kambwala (hamstring) and a likely miss for Juan Foyth — though Santiago Mourino has returned. Pep Guardiola praised the Everton result but warned the team cannot rely solely on Haaland, with midfield anchor Rodri still sidelined and questions over balance without key creative figures. Injuries and recent form make Tuesday's Estadio de la Ceramica clash a crucial, potentially explosive European test.