The Yellows fail to pick up points against AEM despite dominating the opening stages
Villarreal Women were unable to pick up any points against AEM Lleida, falling to a narrow 0–1 defeat in a match in which they were the better side in the opening stages but lacked cutting edge in front of goal.
The match began with Villarreal on the front foot, dominant and aggressive in the opposition half. In fact, as early as the sixth minute, Lauris tried her luck with a shot that flew over the bar. Shortly afterwards, in the 14th minute, they Yellows had a very clear double chance — the clearest of the game. First, Sara Medina’s effort was saved by Lucía, and then, from the rebound, Nerea was denied by the Catalan side’s defence, which prevented the opening goal.
Jordi Ferriols’ side continued to create danger. In the 18th minute, Lauris threatened again, but the ball got away from her and she was unable to get her shot off. In the early stages, Villarreal enjoyed the clearer chances, but were unable to convert them.
However, from the 20th minute onwards, AEM pushed higher up the pitch, began to enjoy more possession and created greater danger in the yellow area. In the 28th minute, Cintia came close to giving the visitors the lead with a powerful strike that Montse Quesada sensationally kept out with a fine save. Just two minutes later, María Lara sent the ball into the back of the net after it struck the post and rebounded off Montse Quesada’s back (0–1, 30’). Before the break, Montse was again called into action with another good save from a Ransanz effort.
After the restart, the match became more even, with fewer chances at either end. AEM threatened in the 59th minute with a header from Ransanz and, in the 64th, Vero Herrera came close to doubling the lead. Villarreal, for their part, pushed for an equaliser right until the final whistle. In the 79th minute, Nerea delivered a dangerous cross that María Romero was unable to finish, leaving the ball loose for Martuka, whose shot was saved by the visiting goalkeeper. In the end, Villarreal WOMEN were left without points, bringing their positive run at the start of 2026 to an end.
