Is Jeremy Mathieu's case now a similar story to Aleix Vidal?

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique revealed his squad for Villarreal on Sunday morning, with the absences of Ivan Rakitic, Aleix Vidal and Jeremy Mathieu, who has been left out for the second game running since being cleared to return to action. 

The centre-back's presence this season has been practically testimonial. He has played just four games in La Liga and a few minutes in the Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup.

In fact, he has not played a single minute since Oct. 19, when Barça beat Manchester City and he was sent off after coming on as a substitute and picking up two yellow cards. The coaching staff were furious with the French international for leaving the side with 10 men, even though the game was under control (Barça won 4-0). 

Shortly after that game, Mathieu injured his calf. And what was supposed to be three weeks out became two months when he suffered a relaspe while still recovering. Last Wednesday he was given the green light to return to action, but against Athletic (Copa) and Villarreal (Liga) he has been left out of the squad. 

Mathieu joins Rakitic, who was also surprisingly left out of the 18-man squad, and Aleix Vidal, while Jasper Cillessen is still injured.