The Yellows Reserves beat Espanyol B thanks to goals from Simón Moreno (2) and Dani Villa
Villarreal B earned a hard-fought victory against Espanyol B at the Mini Estadi at the Training Ground (Ciudad Deportiva). The match was notable for the strong rain falling in Vila-real at the time of the match, which ended up going in the Yellows’ favour, thanks to a brace from Simón Moreno and another strike from Dani Villa.
The rain meant there was more contact in the match than normal. Because of that, the opening moments led to two possible shouts for a penalty in the Espanyol area. One of them wasn’t punished, despite the pull on Moreno, but the second was noted by the referee, this time for a pull on Ramón Bueno. Xavi Quintillà was unable to find the back of the net from the spot though with his penalty in the 18th minute.
The goal to make it 1-0 came in the 23rd minute. Mukwelle Akale escaped his marker with great skill, getting into the area, before getting to the touchline and playing the ball across, for Simón to put in the box at the near post.
Villarreal B started to take control of the match. In fact, the goal to make it 2-0 came soon. Mario González played it out to the left wing, Simón centred the ball and Villa finished with his right foot into the back of the net.
Despite the Yellows being ahead, Espanyol B didn’t give up and looked to get back into the game until the final whistle. Villarrael B goalkeeper Joan Femenías deserves special mentions for the great saves he made throughout the tie.
It was 3-0 soon after the start of the second half. Another quick piece of attacking play allowed Simón to get one-on-one with the goalkeeper, sentencing the game with cold blood.
The result was now clear, but Espanyol B carried on pushing. They managed to get a goal from the penalty spot through Álex Bermejo, but from there, Villarreal B were able to keep them out.
The next opponents for the U23s will be Liverpool in the last match of the group stage of the Premier League International Cup (Wednesday, 8pm CET). The next league match will be away against CD Ebro.
Lineups:
Villarreal B: Joan; Andrei, Roger Riera, Pepe Castaño, Quintillà; Akale (Fran Álvarez, m. 74), Ramón, Iván Martín, Mario (Rubén Mesa, m. 82); Villa, Simón (Nikola, m. 69).
Espanyol B: Adri; Víctor, Iago, Lluís, Carles; Doncel (Pau, min. 49), Pol, Manchón, Moha (Ferran, min. 60); Bermejo, Campuzano (Eric, min. 69).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 23: Simón. 2-0. Min. 35: Villa. 3-0. Min. 47: Simón. 3-1. Min. 73: Bermejo (pen).
Referee: Lou Ballano. Booked: Fran Álvarez (Villarreal B); Iago, Manchón y Víctor (Espanyol B).
Match information: Match held at the Mini Estadi at the Villarreal CF Training Ground (Ciudad Deportiva).
