Villarreal beat Rayo with an Ayoze goal in a direct battle for the top positions in the league
A victory that tastes of Europe. Villarreal beat Rayo Vallecano 0-1 in a direct battle for fifth place in the table. Thanks to Ayoze’s goal, and the team’s hard work, the Submarine increased their distance ahead of the side from Madrid to nine points. Alfonso Pedraza also returned to the pitch after more than nine months without playing due to injury. Great news all round.
Marcelino made changes from the starting line-up that played Valencia last time out. The aim was to give the Submarine greater physical presence in a tough match on a pitch that wasn’t in the best conditions.
There weren’t even three minutes on the clock when Yeremy could have put the Yellows ahead with a powerful right-footed effort that was blocked by the Rayo defence. Two minutes later, the Submarine had another chance. Comesaña, who returned to what was once his home, played a cross from deep out wide on the right, and Barry’s header went just wide.
Crosses from out wide were a main weapon for Villarreal to create danger. Sergi Cardona put the ball into the heart of the area for Ayoze to arrive perfect and connect with a goos header that went wide by a question of centimetres.
Rayo Vallecano were down to ten men in the 41st minute. De Frutos scraped Sergi Cardona’s left thigh with his studs and the referee, García Verdura, showed him a straight red card after checking with the VAR.
After the half-time break, and with numerical advantage, Villarreal looked patiently to get their goal. Ayoze went close after a Foyth pass, but Batalla denied him.
Ayoze’s goal
After the hour mark, Marcelino looked to the bench. Parejo and Pepe came on looking for a goal. And it was a goal that the Submarine found in the 65th minute. Álex Baena played in a perfect corner, and Ayoze headed it home after getting away from his marker (0-1).
In the closing stages, the Submarine had to dig in and suffer. Diego Conde stepped up to stop Rayo from scoring.
The return of Alfonso Pedraza
A highlight of the game was the return of Alfonso Pedraza. The left-back came on in added time after more than nine months without playing in an official match.
Next up for Villarreal will be a game against Espanyol at the Estadio de la Cerámica (Monday, 3rd March). A new opportunity to continue dreaming with Europe.
¡Vamos, Submarino!
