• Champions League preview

Richards expects easier evening; Rio set to captain Utd

Manchester City needed a late goal to beat Villarreal at home © PA Photos

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Manchester City are unbeaten in the Premier League this season with nine wins from 10 games, but travel to Villarreal lying in third spot in their Champions League group on four points, three behind leaders Bayern Munich and one adrift of Napoli.

And City defender Micah Richards believes his side will find life easier than they did in the match against Villarreal at Etihad Stadium, which was only settled by an injury-time winner from Sergio Aguero.

Richards said on City's website: "We'd obviously rather be going to Villarreal with more points on the board but it's not the end of the world. We will go into the game in great confidence and look to win the game; if we do, it could put a completely different complexion on the group.

"It could work in our favour that Villarreal need to win because they will have to come at us which will give us the opportunity to do our stuff on the counter attack. In both our home games in the Champions League we found it hard to break down the opposition because they put so many men behind the ball, but I can't see that happening in the away games."

Mario Balotelli has been included in City's Champions League squad for the first time having missed the first three group games due to a suspension hanging over from last season. Owen Hargreaves, who has been nursing a slight calf injury anyway, is ineligible while Carlos Tevez remains an outcast.

Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand is expected to captain Manchester United against Otelul Galati on Wednesday, with the words of manager Sir Alex Ferguson ringing in his ears. Ferguson has told Ferdinand to adapt his game now that, as he approaches his 33rd birthday, he has lost a yard of pace.

However, Ferguson is refusing to write off Ferdinand, despite the emergence of younger rivals Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans - and the veteran manager has hailed the defender's technical skills.

"He is still one of the best footballers in the country in terms of his use of the ball," Ferguson said. "He still has great presence. He can still tackle and can still head the ball.''

Nemanja Vidic is suspended, while Ryan Giggs (hamstring), Ashley Young (toe) and Chris Smalling (foot) miss out, along with Tom Cleverley (ankle).

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