Villarreal beat Aston Villa thanks to a goal from Étienne Capoue

Villarreal continue to finalise their preparation for their return to competitive action. The Submarine achieved an impressive victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park thanks to a solitary goal from Étienne Capoue (0-1). Villarreal beat Aston Villa thanks to a goal from Étienne Capoue Villarreal continue to finalise their preparation for their return to competitive action. The Submarine achieved an impressive victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park thanks to a solitary goal from Étienne Capoue (0-1). In the Yellows’ third of four mid-season friendlies, Quique Setién fielded an experienced team, with an attacking trident of Samu Chukwueze, Gerard Moreno and Arnaut Danjuma. After a tentative first few minutes, both teams began to attack dangerously. The best chance for the English side in the first half was a powerful shot from Emi Buendia that ended up crashing against the crossbar of the goal defended by Pepe Reina (33 minutes). Four minutes later, one of the most controversial moments of the match took place. Johan Mojica shot from inside the area and the ball hit Ezri Konsa’s arm. Darren Bond, the referee, did not interpret the action as a penalty. A few seconds later, Gerard had the ball in the back of the next after getting an the end of a pass from Manu Trigueros , but the goal was disallowed for  offside (m. 38). In the second half, the tone of the game did not change. Both teams tried to impose their style of play without getting too many shots off. In the carousel of changes so typical of this type of friendly, the return of Pau Torres and Yeremy Pino stood out. Both Spanish internationals had only joined training on Tuesday. Shortly afterwards, Senegal’s Nico Jackson also made his reappearance. In the 73rd minute, there were new changes of note. Academy youngsters Marcos Sánchez and Carlos Romero made their debuts with the first team. An unforgettable day for them. Both came on as full-backs. Sánchez, a hometown boy from Vila-real was at right-back, while Romero was at left-back. It was 0-1 in the 77th minute. Villarreal capitalised on an error from Aston Villa as they tried to play the ball out from the back. Capoue moved the ball onto his left foot and scored with a low effort. Next up for Villarreal is a friendly in Italy against Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona (Saturday, 8:30pm CET). Line-ups: Aston Villa FC: Olsen; A. Young, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Douglas Ruiz, McGinn, Buendia; Bailey, Watkins. Also played: Marshall, Cash, Augustinsson, Bednarek, Chambers, Dendoncker, Ings, Nakamba, Archer, Kaden Young. Villarreal CF: Reina; Kiko Femenía, Mandi, Cuenca, Mojica; Trigueros, Parejo, Coquelin; Chukwueze, Gerard, Danjuma. Also played: Morlanes, Capoue, Pau, Albiol, Collado, Yeremy, Álex Baena, Jackson, Iker Álvarez, Carlos Romero, Marcos Sánchez. Goal: 0-1. Min. 77: Capoue. Referee: Darren Bond (England). Matchday information: Friendly match at Villa Park. A minute’s silence was held after the death of four children in a lake in Solihull.