Zabaleta urges Aguero truce

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has urged Villarreal players not to target Sergio Aguero during Wednesday’s Champions League clash.

Villarreal players claimed Aguero mocked them in the tunnel following his last-minute winner at Etihad Stadium two weeks ago.

UEFA chose not to act on the matter with nothing seen to be amiss, but Aguero can be assured of a hostile reception at El Madrigal.

Zabaleta, who spent three years at Spanish side Espanyol, knows some of the Villarreal players, and said he would use his contacts to request Aguero not be targeted.

“I don’t know what happened in the tunnel but I know some of their players, including their captain (Marcos Senna), so I will try to speak to him and tell him what happened in the last game is finished,” Zabaleta said.

“We need to focus on the game, for us, and so do the Villarreal players as well.”

City manager Roberto Mancini has defended Aguero, claiming he did nothing untoward in the tunnel.

He did, however, say El Madrigal will provide a red hot atmosphere, but believes Aguero’s past experience in Spain as an Atletico Madrid player will help him.

“I don’t think anything happened. Sergio didn’t do anything,” Mancini said.

“If he plays, he will be OK. He is experienced and has played at Villarreal many times with Atletico Madrid.”

“It’s a difficult place to go to, but we want to try and do well. He will cope with it.”