Espanyol claimed a 1-0 victory over Villarreal in La Liga at Estadio de la Cerámica. The result sees Villarreal remain in tenth place with 12 points from 11 games. Espanyol move to twelfth with 11 points, escaping the relegation zone after this away success. It marked an impressive start for their new interim manager in front of 17,488 spectators.
Villarreal controlled much of the game with 63 percent possession and 14 shots but could not break through. Espanyol defended resiliently with just 37 percent of the ball and five attempts. Their goalkeeper delivered key saves to preserve the clean sheet and secure the narrow win on the road.
Coming into the match, Villarreal's recent form stood at LWWLD. They had mixed results including a heavy defeat to Liverpool and a win against Valencia. Espanyol arrived with WLLLD, struggling in recent outings but showing signs of resilience in draws.
This victory reversed Espanyol's poor run of form. Under new interim coach Sergio García in his first game, they secured the three points. The result also featured two La21 debuts for the visitors, signaling a blend of experience and youth in a high-pressure situation.
The win provides crucial momentum for Espanyol as they look to climb further from danger. Villarreal will need to regroup after failing to capitalize on their dominance at home. Both sides sit mid-table but face contrasting paths ahead in the 2025-2026 season.