The Submarine get another win and stay unbeaten and haven’t yet conceded in LaLiga Santander
The good run continues. Villarreal CF overcame Elche CF (4-0) in the game, corresponding to Matchday 4 of LaLiga Santander. Unai Emery’s men, who were playing their first home game at the Ciutat de València in domestic competition, put in another excellent performance and thanks to goals from Gerard Moreno, Gio Lo Celso, Francis Coquelin and José Luis Morales took all three points in the afternoon match against Elche.
Emery’s side took on Elche CF, who are still without a win in LaLiga 2022/23, at the Ciutat de València with a large number of fans in the stands and with the aim of picking up three points to keep them towards the top of the league table.
The first ten minutes of the game were characterised by parity. However, Villarreal CF soon warned the away side in the 12th minute. Gerard Moreno showed his quality by playing a pass to Alfonso Pedraza over an Elche defender; before the left-back, from the tightest of angle, unleashed a left-footed shot that forced Badía to into a great stop.
The Submarine, after their first big chance of the game, had further chances, and started to deserve a goal. A great save by Édgar Badía from a Nico Jackson shot from inside the area led to a string of dangerous chances. First Jackson inside the area with a right-footed effort and then Gerard Moreno – who had a goal disallowed in the 23rd minute for offside – with a powerful left-footed shot against the post were more warnings of the Yellows’ long-awaited goal.
In the 26th minute Kiko Femenía put a great cross into the box for Gerard Moreno to connect with. The Catalan striker’s effort was saved first of all but Badia, but the Elche goalkeeper was unable to do anything as the Catalan striker fired home the rebound from point-blank range to get the first of the night.
Lo Celso extended the lead in the 36th minute, when his powerful left-footed shot nearly took the net off after a great Jackson assist.
It was 2-0 at half-time. Villarreal looked impressive and dangerous in attack, and went into the dressing rooms ahead thanks to goals from Gerard and Lo Celso.
The serious performance and hard work seen in the first half was also reflected in the second half. Emery’s men, solid in defence and again creating good chances in attack, were able to put the game to bed. First Francis Coquelin finished off a Samu Chukwueze pass inside the box from the penalty spot in the 89th minute and Morales, after a great individual move in the 94th minute, rounded off Villarreal’s excellent performance against Elche.
With this win, Villarreal get three important points that put them in third place with ten points from a possible twelve. The Yellows will return to action next Thursday, at 6:45pm CEST, against Lech Poznan in Matchday 1 of the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage. In LaLiga, meanwhile, Emery’s side travel to Seville to face Real Betis at the Benito Villamarín next Sunday at 9pm CEST.
Lineups
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Kiko F. (Mandi, m. 78), R. Albiol, Pau, A. Pedraza; Capoue, Parejo, Yeremy (Chukwueze, m. 65), Lo Celso (Coquelin, m. 78); Gerard (Alex B., m. 65), N. Jackson (A.J. Morales, m. 46).
Elche CF: Edgar Badía; H. Palacios, Roco, R. P. Bigas, C. Clerc; Collado (Quina, m. 70), Mascarell, Raúl Guti (Gumbau, m. 46), T. Morente (Josan, m. 70); Lucas Boyé (Pere Milla, m. 57), E. Ponce (Roger Ms., m. 57).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 26: Gerard. 2-0. Min 36: Lo Celso. 3-0. Min. 89: Coquelin. 4-0. Min. 94: A.J. Morales.
Referee: Ortiz Arias. Booked: N. Jackson (Villarreal CF); Raúl Guti, Pere Milla, Roco (Elche CF).
Matchday information: Match between Villarreal CF and Elche CF, corresponding to Matchday 4 of the 2022/23 LaLiga Santander season, at the Ciutat de Valencia. Attendance: 13,915.
