Villarreal Team News - Soccer

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7 HOURS AGO • MANAGINGMADRID.COM

Logan Costa - Struggling to see minutes Costa has appeared in just one game for Villarreal this season.

Impact The center-back started and played 83 minutes in the 3-2 loss to Deportivo on Sep. 5, just before the UCL debut against Dortmund. He's been an unused sub in the other games, and he's not expected to challenge for a starting role anytime soon. He seems to be behind Juan Foyth, Renato Veiga and Pau Navarro in the center-back pecking order.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Sergi Cardona - Seeing uptick in minutes recently Cardona has started in four of Villarreal's last five matches between LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League.

Impact Cardona was on the bench in Villarreal's first three matches of the season, but he's started four of the last five since then, as manager Inigo Perez seems to have changed his mind regarding his projected Best XI. Cardona has nine tackles, seven clearances, six interceptions and five crosses, as well as one chance created, in those four starts.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas Pepe - Falls out of starting XI Pepe has started each of the last two La Liga matches on the bench, making an 11-minute substitute appearance in the most recent fixture.

Impact Pepe has seen his role decrease after beginning the season in strong form, with Ilias Akhomach recently earning opportunities on the right wing and performing well. Pepe has recorded two goals, nine chances created, 17 crosses and eight corners across six La Liga appearances. Akhomach's emergence has increased the competition for starts, though Pepe should remain firmly in the attacking rotation.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Carlos Macia - Remains a substitute option Macia has been used exclusively off the bench this season, totaling 58 minutes across four appearances.

Impact Macia remains a depth option after seeing only limited playing time to begin the campaign. He has made all four of his appearances as a substitute, with his 58 minutes indicating that he is currently being used primarily for late-game involvement. A larger role will likely depend on rotation or absences among the players ahead of him in the pecking order.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Nathan Saliba - Earning regular midfield role Saliba has started each of the last two La Liga matches, giving him three starts across four league appearances since his late-summer arrival.

Impact Saliba appears to be establishing himself as part of Villarreal's midfield rotation following his move from Anderlecht. He has recorded 11 tackles, six interceptions and five clearances across four La Liga appearances, including three starts. The midfielder is competing with Pape Gueye and Santi Comesana for playing time, but his recent run of consecutive starts suggests he should remain regularly involved.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Alex Freeman - Emerging as starting right-back Freeman has started each of the last two matches at right-back after beginning the season in a reserve role.

Impact Freeman appears to have moved ahead of Santiago Mourino in the right-back hierarchy after earning consecutive starts. The defender has created three chances while recording 13 tackles, one interception and 11 clearances across six La Liga appearances. His recent run in the starting XI suggests he could continue to receive regular opportunities after beginning the campaign primarily as a substitute.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Tani Oluwaseyi - Limited to reserve role Oluwaseyi has been limited to a substitute role this season, playing 55 minutes across four La Liga appearances, all off the bench.

Impact Oluwaseyi remains behind Georges Mikautadze and Ayoze Perez in the attacking pecking order, leaving him with limited opportunities for significant minutes. The forward has been used exclusively as a substitute in league play, totaling just 55 minutes across four appearances. His playing time should remain largely dependent on rotation or the availability of the two forwards ahead of him.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Juan Foyth - Withdrawn from Argentina squad Foyth has been withdrawn from Argentina's squad because of injury, the Argentine Football Association announced Wednesday.

Impact Foyth has not played since sustaining a muscle problem against Alaves on Aug. 28 and missed four matches in a row, including Villarreal's Champions League opener, before being passed fit to sit on the bench against Levante on Sunday, Sept. 20. He went unused in that match, which leaves him more than three weeks without minutes, and Argentina have now released him from the friendly window without disclosing a new diagnosis. Foyth can now remain with Villarreal during the international window and focus on his recovery, with his progression toward full training determining when he can return to competitive action.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Peter Gulacsi - Concedes once in victory Gulacsi allowed a goal without making a save during Sunday's 3-1 win over Levante.

Impact Gulacsi allowed a goal in the 42nd minute, but blanked Levante from there on as Villarreal scored twice in the second half. The keeper has allowed four goals while combining for 10 saves over his first three starts in La Liga. Villarreal head to Real Madrid following the international break.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Alberto Moleiro - Dominates Levante Moleiro scored a goal and had two assists while taking three shots (two on goal), crossing seven times (two accurate) and creating seven chances during Sunday's 3-1 win over Levant...

Impact Moleiro set up goals in the 41st and 86th minutes while scoring himself in the 54th and leading Villarreal in both crosses and chances created. The attacker has combined for three goal involvements, eight shots, 10 chances created and 14 crosses over his last three appearances.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Ilias Akhomach - Assists in two straight Akhomach had an assist while taking an off target shot, crossing five times inaccurately and creating two chances during Sunday's 3-1 win over Levante.

Impact Akhomach set up Alberto Moleiro in the 54th minute assisting Villarreal's second goal while finishing with the second most crosses and chances created on the team. The attacker has assists in two straight matches while combining for three shots, four chances created and nine crosses over his last three appearances.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Ayoze Perez - Opens the scoring Sunday Perez scored a goal while taking five shots (three on goal) and creating a chance during Sunday's 3-1 win over Levante.

Impact Perez opened the scoring in the 41st minute while leading Villarreal with his five shots. The goal was the first this season for the forward as he's combined for two goal involvements, eight shots and three chances created over his last three appearances.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Georges Mikautadze - Scores as substitute Mikautadze scored a goal while taking two shots (both on goal) during Sunday's 3-1 win over Levante.

Impact Mikautadze entered the match in the 67th and added an insurance goal in the 86th. The goal was the first since August 23rd for the forward as he's combined for seven shots and three chances created over his last three appearances, only one of which has been a start.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Juan Foyth - Returns to bench Foyth is available off the bench for Sunday's match against Levante after missing the previous four matches with an undisclosed injury.

Impact Foyth returns to the matchday squad after a four-match absence, confirming he has recovered sufficiently from the issue that kept him sidelined. The defender had resumed training ahead of Sunday's contest but remains on the bench for his first game back, suggesting Villarreal could ease him into action following the layoff. Foyth could receive minutes during the match before pushing for a return to the starting XI after the international break.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Juan Foyth - Late call for Levante clash Foyth (undisclosed) is a late call for Sunday's clash against Levante, according to coach Inigo Perez. "Juan is training with us, we have to see if he can return tomorrow."

Impact Foyth had missed four consecutive matches as Villarreal took a cautious approach with his recovery, though manager Inigo Perez had already targeted this match as the expected point for his return. His involvement in training now offers an encouraging sign, with a final decision on his availability still to come.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Santi Comesana - Set to miss several weeks Comesana (ankle) will miss several weeks due to the injury he suffered against Malaga, according to coach Inigo Perez. "He will miss several weeks, it is not a big injury but enoug...

Impact Comesana had been forced off in the first half of the recent match against Malaga after suffering an intense tackle to his foot, with Pape Gueye coming on in his place. This now confirms a notable absence for a player who had started in six of Villarreal's first seven matches across all competitions, though the international break could help limit how many games he ultimately misses.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Ilias Akhomach - Generates an assist Akhomach assisted once to go with one shot (one on goal), four crosses (one accurate) and two corners in Thursday's 3-1 victory versus Malaga. In addition, he was given a yellow ca...

Impact Akhomach did his part with four crosses and two corners but he was somewhat fortunate to get credited with an assist as he didn't have great efficiency. If he can be slightly more on point, he could do some major damage against a Levante side which has already conceded nine goals in this season's LaLiga campaign.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Ayoze Perez - Gets assist in start Perez assisted once to go with three shots (one on goal) and two chances created in Thursday's 3-1 victory against Malaga.

Impact Perez was in the starting lineup and did his part for Villarreal, creating a few chances and coming away with an assist. The attacker should remain a starter in a favorable matchup against Levante, a team which has already allowed nine goals in LaLiga play this season.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Alberto Moleiro - Tallies a goal in win Alberto Moleiro scored one goal to go with three shots (two on goal), three crosses (one accurate) and four corners in Thursday's 3-1 win versus Malaga.

Impact Moleiro didn't get an assist but he was able to find the back of the net as part of a strong overall effort. If he keeps this up, he should have a strong stat line against Levante. This side has conceded nine times across five LaLiga games this season.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Pape Gueye - Brace off the bench Gueye scored two goals to go with two shots (two on goal) and one cross (one accurate) in Thursday's 3-1 victory against Malaga.

Impact Gueye provided the spark Villarreal was looking for in this match with two goals off the bench. The midfielder will likely be back in the starting lineup against Levante and it's a good matchup. The side has allowed nine goals so far in LaLiga play this season.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Peter Gulacsi - Allows just one goal Gulacsi registered no saves and allowed one goal in Thursday's 3-1 win over Malaga.

Impact Gulacsi didn't do much in this game aside from conceding once, as Villarreal kept the ball in Malaga's half for most of the contest. The goalkeeper has a somewhat neutral matchup against Levante up next, a side which has scored seven times so far in five LaLiga games this season.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Villarreal vs Levante Prediction and Betting Tips | September 20th 2026 A Valencian regional derby awaits fans this weekend, as Villarreal take on Levante in Spanish La Liga action at Estadio de la Cerámica on Su...

SEPTEMBER 18 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Santi Comesana - Exits game after blow Comesana left Thursday's matchup versus Malaga with a potential ankle injury.

Impact Comesana suffered an intense tackle to his foot and had to be replaced by Pape Gueye in the first half of Thursday's contest. The former Rayo Vallecano man has started in six of the first seven games of the season across all competitions, and his absence in upcoming clashes would reduce the team's usual midfield capacity. Still, the severity of his injury remains unclear for the time being, and the lengthy international break could give him enough time to recover and avoid missing multiple games if it's not a major issue.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Juan Foyth - Targeting Sunday return Foyth (undisclosed) will remain unavailable for Thursday's clash against Malaga but is expected to return for Sunday's match against Levante, according to coach Inigo Perez. "We do...

Impact Foyth will miss a fourth consecutive match Thursday as Villarreal continues to take a cautious approach with his recovery. The defender has been progressing well and is now expected to rejoin the squad against Levante on Sunday, providing a clear target for his return to competitive action. His role and potential workload will depend on his fitness following the extended absence.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

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