Manchester City will be without midfielder Rodri for this week’s trip to Villarreal in the Champions League and Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Aston Villa, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.
The Spain international has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring problem during City’s 1–0 win at Brentford on 5 October. He subsequently withdrew from national team duty and missed City’s 2–0 victory over Everton at the weekend as he continues his recovery.
𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂: Rodri has been RULED OUT against Villarreal and Aston Villa with ongoing muscular injury, Pep Guardiola has confirmed! 🚨‼️
— City Report (@cityreport_) October 19, 2025
🗣️ “Villarreal I don’t think so and Aston Villa I don’t think so neither. It’s not long but it’s muscular and we have to be careful.… pic.twitter.com/x9vaa3v4XC
Guardiola said the club will not rush the 29 year old back. “I do not think so for Villarreal or Aston Villa. It is not long, but it is muscular and you have to be careful. We have tried many times to not take a risk, but we have not been able to manage that. So we will see.”
City visit Rodri’s former club Villarreal on Tuesday before returning to domestic action against Villa on Sunday. Guardiola’s side are second in the Premier League on 16 points after eight matches, three behind leaders Arsenal.
Rodri’s absence is another test of City’s depth in midfield, with Guardiola likely to lean on Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes or Rico Lewis to balance the centre of the pitch as the champions navigate a demanding run on two fronts.
