David Silva
Manchester City manager Mancini reacts with Silva during a news conference at the club's Carrington training complex in Manchester. REUTERS

Manchester City will hope fit-again Sergio Aguero can kick-start their debut Champions League campaign when they welcome Villarreal to the Etihad Stadium Tuesday.

After collecting just one point from their opening two Group A games against Napoli and Bayern Munich, City require a victory against the La Liga club tonight to ensure their qualification hopes remain alive.

City's unbeaten start to the Premier League season has been in stark contrast to their nervy European form, exemplified during the 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich that sparked the on-going Carlos Tevez debacle but midfielder David Silva remains unfazed.

"We have got a lot of games under our belt in the league. In the Champions league we have only played two games and those two games were against top sides.

"Maybe it is a case of needing a few more games under our belt in that competition too in order to get the same consistency we have been showing in the league."

Roberto Mancini's team selection is buoyed by the return of striker Sergio Aguero, who missed Saturday's 4-1 win against Aston Villa with a groin problem.

"If we win this game we can win the group," Mancini said. "Villarreal are a good team. They are used to playing in the Champions League, they have done so many times in the past 10 years.

"It will be hard because they play football very well. But for us I don't think it is as important to play well or not well - it is important we win this game.

"After this we have another three games and I think with 10 points we can go into the second stage, but it is important to start to win."

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Sergio Aguero is set to partner Eden Dzeko up front, as Mario Balotelli serves the final game of a three-match European suspension.

Silva is expected to return to the starting line-up after starting Saturday's win at Villa from the bench, with Samir Nasri likely to partner the Spaniard in midfield.

Defender Micah Richards is also in contention to start at right-back after recovering from a head injury but Carlos Tevez remains absent pending a disciplinary hearing.

Prediction: Man City 3 Villarreal 1

Man City possible XI: Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy; Barry, De Jong; Nasri, Silva, Aguero; Dzeko.