Javier Mascherano and Andres Iniesta have not been included in Barcelona's matchday squad for their La Liga game away at Villarreal on Sunday night.

The midfield duo are sidelined at present and join a lengthy absentees' list which also includes Ousmane Dembele, Rafinha and Samuel Umtiti.

Arda Turan and Gerard Deulofeu, meanwhile, failed to make Ernesto Valverde's 18-man squad for the trip to the Estadio de la Ceramica.

Valverde has made six changes to the team that started against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League during the week as Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Paulinho and Lionel Messi are reinstated to the XI.

The league leaders dropped points last time out with a 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo, but remain five points clear of nearest rivals Valencia at the top of the table.

Villarreal also rested several key players in their midweek Europa League defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv and have restored most of their regular starters for their meeting with the Blaugrana.

Goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo has recovered from a ligament injury suffered in February to make his La Liga comeback in between the sticks.

Midfielder Pablo Fornals collapsed during training on Saturday due to hypoglycemia and, even though he is recovering, the game comes too soon for the 21-year-old.

Andres Fernandez, Denis Cheryshev and Nicola Sansone are unavailable through injury and will also not feature.

Villarreal: Asenjo; Costa, Ruiz, Alvaro, Mario; Trigueiros, Semedo, Rodrigo, Soriano; Bakambu, Raba
Subs: Marin, Castillejo, Rukavina, Bonera, Barbosa, Guerra, Moya

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi, Pique, Vermaelen, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Paulinho; Messi, L. Suarez, D. Suarez
Subs: Cillessen, Semedo, Alcacer, Digne, Gomes, Vidal, Costas

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