Emery’s side were far superior than their rival after 90 minutes
Villarreal hosted a Sevilla CF who needed the points from Matchday 6 of LaLiga Santander played at the Ciutat de València, which had the highest attendance of yellow fans at a home Submarine match to date. The match, which pitted two sides destined to fight for European places, ended in a 1-1 draw. Óliver Torres gave the Andalusian side the lead in the early stages of the game and Baena, in the 51st minute, scored the equaliser.
Julen Lopetegui’s side came out of the blocks better and in the eighth minute of the game they found the net when Isco, inside the box and unmarked, slipped a pass to the penalty spot that Óliver Torres headed into the back of the net.
Despite the early goal from the awa side, the Submarine were to recover and generate good chances in Bono’s goal with constant runs by Jackson behind the centre-backs and long transitions in the oppositions half.
The Yellows’ attacks became more and more dangerous as the minutes went by. In the 27th minute, Dani Parejo had the best chance of the first half for the Yellows. Samu Chukwueze, after controlling a great long pass from Parejo and facing the Sevilla full-back, left the ball in front of the Yellows No.10 who hit the ball with everything he had and smashed the ball against the crossbar.
The Submarine’s insistence would not cease and, three minutes from the end of the first half, Nico Jackson had another great chance with a good shot from the edge of the area that almost meant the equaliser.
However, the Submarine were trailing at the end of the first half.
The second half couldn’t have started any better! In the 51st minute, Coquelin broke free from the rival pressure and, close to the edge of the Sevilla area, slipped a decisive pass to Baena, who not in the first instance, but in the second, beat the opposition goalkeeper to level the match.
The Submarine didn’t stop trying until the end and even had a penalty awarded in their favour that was later disallowed for offside. Villarreal, however, despite deserving the win, drew 1-1 against Sevilla.
With the international break just around the corner, Emery’s side will not be back in action until 1st October, when they take on FK Austria Wien in the third round of the Conference League group stage.
Lineups
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Kiko F., R. Albiol, Pau, A. Pedraza (J. Mojica, m. 82); Lo Celso (Álex B., m. 32), Capoue, Parejo, Chukwueze (Yeremy, m. 59); Coquelin (Danjuma, m. 59), N. Jackson (A. J. Morales, m. 82).
Sevilla FC: Bono (Dmitrovic, m. 46); Carmona (Suso, m. 69), Gudelj, Kike Salas, Acuña (Telles, m.69); Fernando (Nianzou, m. 46), Jordán, Óliver T. (Papu Gómez, m. 82); J. Navas, Isco; Rafa Mir.
Goals: 0-1. Min. 8: Óliver T. 1-1. Min. 51: Álex B.
Referee: Hernández Hernández. Booked: Álex B. (Villarreal CF); Bono, Gudelj, Acuña, Carmona, Álex Telles (Sevilla FC).
Matchday information: Match between Villarreal CF and Sevilla FC, corresponding to Matchday 6 of the 2022/23 LaLiga Santander season, at the Ciutat de València. Attendance: 18,292.
