The 2024-25 LaLiga season witnessed an intense encounter between Espanyol and Villarreal CF, where both sides were eager to secure crucial points to progress up the table. Espanyol, coming into the match with a 2-1-4 record and sitting on 7 points, were in dire need of a victory to climb out of their mid-table struggles. Villarreal, on the other hand, with a solid 4-2-1 record and 14 points, looked to continue their strong start to the season. The game took place at Espanyol’s home ground, and it turned out to be a dramatic affair, ending with Villarreal emerging victorious in a tightly contested 2-1 victory.
Espanyol vs Villarreal CF Head to Head
Espanyol and Villarreal have faced each other numerous times in LaLiga, with Villarreal historically having the upper hand. In this fixture, Villarreal’s attacking prowess proved too much for the home side, despite Espanyol’s valiant efforts.
Espanyol vs Villarreal CF Lineups and Substitutes
- Espanyol (4-4-2 Formation)
- Starting XI:
- GK: Joan García
- LB: Brian Oliván
- CB: Leandro Cabrera (Sergi Gómez 45′)
- CB: Marash Kumbulla
- RB: Omar El Hilali
- LM: Jofre Carreras (Irvin Cardona 80′)
- CM: Pol Lozano (José Gragera 73′)
- CM: Alex Král
- RM: Álvaro Tejero (Carlos Romero 64′)
- FW: Alejo Veliz (Walid Cheddira 72′)
- FW: Javi Puado
- Substitutes:
- Fernando Pacheco, Ángel Fortuño, Álvaro Aguado, Fernando Calero, Salvi, Pere Milla
- Starting XI:
- Villarreal CF (4-4-2 Formation)
- Starting XI:
- GK: Diego Conde
- LB: Sergi Cardona
- CB: Logan Costa (Pau Navarro 74′)
- CB: Raúl Albiol (Eric Bailly 36′)
- RB: Kiko Femenía
- LM: Álex Baena (Denis Suárez 66′)
- CM: Pape Gueye
- CM: Santi Comesaña (Dani Parejo 66′)
- RM: Ilias Akhomach (Ramon Terrats 80′)
- FW: Ayoze Pérez
- FW: Thierno Barry
- Substitutes:
- Pau Cabanes De La Torre, Juan Bernat, Luiz Júnior, Nicolas Pépé
- Starting XI:
Espanyol vs Villarreal CF First Half Overview
The first half of the game saw both sides looking to gain control in the midfield, with Espanyol slightly edging possession at 55.9%. Villarreal started brightly with several dangerous attacks, particularly through Ayoze Pérez and Ilias Akhomach. However, Espanyol struck first when Jofre Carreras scored a stunning goal in the 45th minute of added time with a right-footed shot from outside the box, assisted by Brian Oliván.
Villarreal, not to be undone, responded quickly with a goal from Ayoze Pérez in the 45+6′ minute, heading in a perfect cross from Álex Baena. The teams went into halftime tied 1-1 after an action-packed end to the half.
Espanyol vs Villarreal CF Second Half Overview
The second half saw Villarreal come out with more intent, and their attacking efforts paid off. In the 63rd minute, Ayoze Pérez struck again, this time finishing off a slick passing move with a precise right-footed shot into the bottom right corner, assisted by Álex Baena, making it 2-1 to Villarreal.
Espanyol tried to get back into the game, making several attacking substitutions, including bringing on José Gragera, Irvin Cardona, and Walid Cheddira. Despite their efforts, Villarreal’s defense held strong, with Diego Conde making a crucial save in the 83rd minute to deny Javi Puado’s header.
The match ended with Villarreal sealing a 2-1 victory, leaving Espanyol frustrated despite their home advantage.
Espanyol vs Villarreal CF Stats
| Espanyol vs Villarreal CF Stats | Espanyol | Villarreal |
| Possession | 55.9% | 44.1% |
| Shots on Goal | 2 | 4 |
| Shot Attempts | 9 | 15 |
| Yellow Cards | 5 | 3 |
| Corner Kicks | 4 | 1 |
| Saves | 2 | 1 |
Espanyol vs Villarreal CF Timeline
45’+1′: GOAL! Jofre Carreras (Espanyol) unleashes a powerful strike from outside the box, giving Espanyol the lead.
45’+6′: GOAL! Ayoze Pérez (Villarreal) heads in from close range after a well-placed cross by Álex Baena, leveling the score.
63′: GOAL! Ayoze Pérez scores again, this time with a clinical finish inside the box, assisted once more by Álex Baena.
90’+5′: Villarreal hold on, with Diego Conde making a vital save in the dying moments to secure the win.
Espanyol vs Villarreal CF Commentary
Full-Time: Villarreal secures a 2-1 victory over Espanyol, thanks to a late goal from Ayoze Pérez.
90’+6′: The match concludes. Espanyol 1, Villarreal 2.
90’+5′: Villarreal’s Pape Gueye commits a foul on Espanyol’s Walid Cheddira, resulting in a free kick for the home side.
90’+5′: Thierno Barry’s shot from close range is saved by the Espanyol goalkeeper.
90’+5′: Walid Cheddira is shown a yellow card for a foul on a Villarreal player.
90’+3′: Naci Ünüvar’s shot misses the target.
90’+2′: Ramon Terrats of Villarreal receives a yellow card for a foul.
90’+2′: Javi Puado of Espanyol is also shown a yellow card for a foul.
90’+2′: Javi Puado wins a free kick for Espanyol.
90’+2′: Ramon Terrats commits a foul on Javi Puado.
90’+1′: Jofre Carreras of Espanyol receives a yellow card.
90′: José Gragera wins a free kick for Espanyol after being fouled by Nicolas Pépé.
88′: Sergi Cardona wins a free kick for Villarreal after being fouled by Marash Kumbulla.
87′: Corner for Espanyol.
87′: Irvin Cardona’s free-kick attempt misses the target.
86′: Naci Ünüvar wins a free kick for Espanyol after being fouled by Kiko Femenía.
85′: Diego Conde of Villarreal is shown a yellow card.
83′: Javi Puado’s header is saved by the Villarreal goalkeeper.
83′: Javi Puado’s shot is blocked.
82′: José Gragera’s shot is blocked.
80′: Irvin Cardona replaces Jofre Carreras for Espanyol.
80′: Ramon Terrats replaces Ilias Akhomach for Villarreal.
78′: Walid Cheddira wins a free kick for Espanyol after being fouled by Eric Bailly.
76′: Carlos Romero of Espanyol is shown a yellow card for a foul on Ilias Akhomach.
76′: Ilias Akhomach wins a free kick for Villarreal after being fouled by Carlos Romero.
74′: Nicolas Pépé replaces Ayoze Pérez for Villarreal.
74′: Pau Navarro replaces Logan Costa for Villarreal.
73′: José Gragera replaces Pol Lozano for Espanyol.
73′: Naci Ünüvar replaces Brian Oliván for Espanyol.
72′: Walid Cheddira replaces Alejo Véliz for Espanyol.
69′: Thierno Barry’s shot is blocked.
66′: Denis Suárez replaces Álex Baena for Villarreal.
66′: Dani Parejo replaces Santi Comesaña for Villarreal.
65′: Ayoze Pérez’s shot misses the target.
64′: Carlos Romero replaces Álvaro Tejero for Espanyol.
63′: GOAL! Ayoze Pérez scores for Villarreal to make it 2-1.
62′: Pape Gueye’s shot is blocked.
60′: Jofre Carreras’ shot is blocked.
59′: Thierno Barry’s shot misses the target.
58′: Sergi Cardona’s shot misses the target.
57′: Ilias Akhomach wins a free kick for Villarreal after being fouled by Marash Kumbulla.
55′: Javi Puado’s shot is blocked.
54′: Corner for Espanyol.
54′: Javi Puado’s shot is blocked.
52′: Sergi Gómez wins a free kick for Espanyol after being fouled by Thierno Barry.
51′: Ilias Akhomach’s shot misses the target.
48′: Omar El Hilali wins a free kick for Espanyol after being fouled by Thierno Barry.
47′: Thierno Barry’s shot misses the target.
46′: Pol Lozano of Espanyol is shown a yellow card for a foul on Ayoze Pérez.
45′: Second half begins. Espanyol 1, Villarreal 1.
45’+11′: First half ends. Espanyol 1, Villarreal 1.
45’+10′: Marash Kumbulla wins a free kick for Espanyol after being fouled by Santi Comesaña.
45’+8′: Omar El Hilali wins a free kick for Espanyol after being fouled by Thierno Barry.
45’+6′: GOAL! Ayoze Pérez scores for Villarreal to make it 1-1.
45’+5′: Ilias Akhomach wins a free kick for Villarreal after being fouled by Alejo Véliz.
45’+3′: Ilias Akhomach wins a free kick for Villarreal after being fouled by Jofre Carreras.
45’+3′: Thierno Barry wins a free kick for Villarreal after being fouled by Marash Kumbulla.
45’+1′: GOAL! Jofre Carreras scores for Espanyol to make it 1-0.
45′: Fourth official announces 8 minutes of added time.
44′: Ayoze Pérez of Villarreal is shown a yellow card for a foul on Jofre Carreras.
44′: Jofre Carreras wins a free kick for Espanyol after being fouled by Ayoze Pérez.
41′: Corner for Villarreal.
38′: Thierno Barry’s shot misses the target.
36′: Delay over. Play resumes.
36′: Eric Bailly replaces Raúl Albiol for Villarreal due to injury.
30′: Delay in the match due to Raúl Albiol’s injury.
30′: Delay in the match due to Alejo Véliz’s injury.
28′: Corner for Espanyol.
27′: Pape Gueye commits a foul on Alejo Véliz.
27′: Alejo Véliz wins a free kick for Espanyol after being fouled by Logan Costa.
22′: Alejo Véliz wins a free kick for Espanyol after being fouled by Logan Costa.
22′: Ilias Akhomach’s shot is saved by the Espanyol goalkeeper.
18′: Delay over. Play resumes.
17′: Delay in the match due to Leandro Cabrera’s injury.
16′: Delay over. Play resumes.
15′: Delay in the match due to Thierno Barry’s injury.
14′: Delay over. Play resumes.
13′: Delay in the match due to Jofre Carreras’ injury.
12′: Thierno Barry’s shot misses the target.
12′: Pol Lozano commits a foul on Ayoze Pérez.
10′: Delay over. Play resumes.
9′: Delay in the match due to Ilias Akhomach’s injury.
8′: Jofre Carreras handles the ball.
6′: Offside. Álex Baena is caught offside.
6′: Ayoze Pérez’s header is blocked.
6′: Pol Lozano commits a foul on Ayoze Pérez.
4′: Marash Kumbulla wins a free kick for Espanyol after being fouled by Thierno Barry.
3′: Ayoze Pérez commits a foul on Alex Král.
3′: Logan Costa wins a free kick for Villarreal after being fouled by Javi Puado.
2′: Ayoze Pérez’s shot is blocked.
1′: First half begins.
Key Moments
- Jofre Carreras’ Stunning Goal: Carreras scored a beautiful goal right before halftime to give Espanyol hope.
- Ayoze Pérez’s Double: Ayoze Pérez stole the show with his two crucial goals, leading Villarreal to victory.
- Late Villarreal Defense: Villarreal’s defense, along with goalkeeper Diego Conde, put up a resilient display in the final minutes, especially when under pressure.
Espanyol vs Villarreal CF Impact on the Points Table
Villarreal’s win propelled them further up the LaLiga standings, now sitting comfortably with 17 points after 8 matches. Espanyol, on the other hand, remained stuck at 7 points and must look to improve in the coming games to avoid falling into a relegation battle.
Espanyol vs Villarreal CF Player Achievements
- Man of the Match: Ayoze Pérez (Villarreal): With two crucial goals, Pérez was undoubtedly the standout performer of the match.
- Honorable Mention: Álex Baena’s playmaking ability was crucial, as he assisted both of Pérez’s goals.
The 2024-25 LaLiga clash between Espanyol and Villarreal was an exhilarating contest. Espanyol took an early lead but could not maintain it, as Villarreal, led by Ayoze Pérez’s double, turned the match around to secure a vital 2-1 victory. Espanyol will need to regroup as they face tough fixtures ahead, while Villarreal continues their strong start to the season.
FAQs on Espanyol vs Villarreal CF
- Who scored the goals in Espanyol vs Villarreal CF?
- Jofre Carreras scored for Espanyol, while Ayoze Pérez scored twice for Villarreal CF.
- Who was the Man of the Match?
- Ayoze Pérez was named Man of the Match for his two-goal performance.
- How did the result affect the LaLiga table?
- Villarreal moved up to 17 points, while Espanyol remained with 7 points, struggling to gain momentum.
- How did Espanyol perform compared to Villarreal?
- Espanyol had more possession but fewer shots on goal, and Villarreal capitalized on their chances more effectively.
