On 18 October 2011, Roberto Mancini and co. welcomed Villarreal to the Etihad Stadium, desperately searching for a pivotal three points and our first ever win in the competition.
Our maiden campaign in the tournament was proving to be a baptism of fire. Without previous experience, City had been placed in Pot Three and pitted against Bayern Munich, Napoli and Villarreal in Group A: affectionately dubbed ‘the Group of Death.’
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A home draw against Napoli and defeat to Bayern Munich meant victory against Villarreal was imperative to our hopes of progression - and we would secure that victory in typically dramatic fashion.
After enduring a nightmare start, in which the Spanish side opened the scoring after just four minutes through Cani, a Carlos Marchena own-goal two minutes before the break levelled the score - but the home side struggled to break down a resolute Villarreal defence.
That was until the dying seconds of the game when Pablo Zabaleta drilled in a delivery which was flicked on by David Silva and slotted home at the back post by Sergio Aguero, sparking scenes of delirium.
A 93rd minute winner for the Argentine - a sign of things to come, although no-one knew that at the time!
Ahead of tonight’s trip to Club Brugge, relive that special night under the lights in the video above...
