Emery’s side gave their fans the perfect Christmas present with a win over Alavés
Villarreal beat Deportivo Alavés in a goalfest (5-2) in the last match of 2021. The Yellows gifted their fans a convincing win for Christmas, a result which continues the positive run, with it now being five wins in a row in all competitions. A Boulaye Dia brace, another two for Gerard Moreno, and Yeremy Pino goal were the reward from a great team performance from Unai Emery’s men.
Emery lined up with a familiar line-up against Deportivo Alavés. The Basque head coach only made two changes from the win at the Reale Arena (1-3). Manu Trigueros and Samu Chukwueze came into the team for Alberto Moreno and Yeremy.
Villarreal’s first goal came just before the halfway point of the first 45 minutes. A fantastic move between Chukwueze, Dani Parejo and Gerard ended with a dream goal for the Catalan striker, who after getting on the end of a fantastic lay-off from the midfielder, put the ball into the top corner.
The Yellows were giving the fans what they wanted with their performance. Just before the half-hour mark, Emery’s side found their second goal through Dia. The Senegalese striker broke away from his marker, and after receiving a fantastic Trigueros ball into the space, he scored with a low, placed shot past Pacheco.
Just before half-time, Deportivo Alavés got one back at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Pere Pons volleyed in after getting on the end of a header from his team-mate Joselu. The Basque side were back in the game, despite not having had a shot on target before then.
The second half started as the first half ended. Villarreal were peppering the visitors’ goal looking for the third. However, it was Deportivo Alaves, who equalised through an opportunistic Joselu, capitalising on an error playing the ball out of the back.
The Basque side’s goal was a wake-up call to the Estadio de la Cerámica. However, Villarreal reacted with two goals in two minutes. Dia, first of all, finished well after getting through on goal, before Yeremy, with an effort in the six-yard, gave Villarreal wings once more.
With two minutes of normal time added, Gerard sealed the victory, scoring the fifth goal of the game with a finish from a cross from the left. The fans ended the game with a Mexican wave after enjoying a great Villarreal win. Merry Christmas, Yellows!
Lineups:
Villarreal: Rulli; Foyth, R. Albiol, Pau, Estupiñán (A. Pedraza, m. 72); Chukwueze (Yeremy, m. 72), Capoue (Iborra, m. 89), Parejo, M. Trigueros (Alberto M., m. 72); Gerard, Dia (Moi Gómez, m. 86).
Deportivo Alavés: Pacheco; Martin, Laguardia (Tachi, m. 84), Lejeune, Javi López (R. Duarte, m. 77); Pere Pons (Miguel, m. 84), Loum, T. Pina (Toni Moya, m. 77); M. Sylla (Edgar, m. 58), Joselu, L. Rioja.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 18: Gerard. 2-0. Min. 28: Dia. 2-1. Min. 44: Pere Pons. 2-2. Min. 66: Joselu. 3-2. Min. 76: Dia. 4-2. Min. 79: Yeremy. 5-2. Min. 88: Gerard.
Referee: Pizarro Gómez. Booked: Martín, Javi López (Deportivo Alavés).
Matchday information: Match corresponding to Matchday 4 (rescheduled) of the 2021/22 LaLiga season at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Attendance: 12,530.
