Villarreal travelled to the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on Monday knowing that three points against Elche would consolidate fourth spot in La Liga.
Both sides had half-chances in an end-to-end first period, but neither could make the breakthrough with the scores level at the interval.
Opportunities continued to arrive in the second half, but it was Villarreal that won it in stoppage time when Ikechukwu Uche scored from close range.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Week 12 in La Liga is completed this evening as Elche welcome Villarreal. Both sides were playing Segunda Division football last season, but now they are among the big time once more. It has been a smooth transition for Elche, who currently sit comfortably in 13th, while Villarreal are fourth following an impressive start to the season.
As mentioned, the clash in this stadium between the two sides last season took place in the Segunda Division. It was a tight affair, but Elche claimed all the points with a 1-0 win. Elche were also 3-2 winners when they travelled to Villarreal towards the end of the season. There is no question that the Yellow Submarine will have revenge on their mind.
TEAMS:
ELCHE: Herrera; Damian, Lomban, Botia, Cisma; Ruben Perez, Sanchez; Aaron, Carles, Fidel; Manu
VILLARREAL: Asenjo; Gaspar, Musacchio, Gabriel, Costa; Hernan Perez, Trigueros, Soriano, Cani; Giovani, Uche
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Elche XI this evening with on-loan Sevilla duo Alberto Botia and Manu del Moral both starting. However, Richmond Boakye starts on the bench. Villarreal, meanwhile, hand a spot in defence to Brazilian Gabriel Paulista. There are also spots for Hernan Perez and Ikechukwu Uche in their XI.
Elche struggled for consistency in the early part of the season, but have impressed in recent weeks. They have won three of their last five games in the league. It should have been four of their last five, but they let a two-goal lead slip against Athletic Bilbao last time out. However, they have shown that they can compete at this level of football.
Goals have been a problem, however, with just 10 strikes in their 11 matches thus far. That is in contrast to Villarreal, who have managed 19 goals, with Giovani dos Santos impressing in the early part of the season. Both sides have been impressive defensively, meanwhile, with Villarreal conceding just 10 times to Elche’s 13.
Despite their impressive start to the season, home form has been a problem for Elche. They have won just one of their five games on their own patch, scoring just four times in the process. It has been on the road where they have been most impressive with two wins, two draws and two defeats. That record will hand Villarreal confidence.
The Yellow Submarine have struggled for form in the last couple of weeks with three defeats in their last five, but an impressive start to the season has left them in fourth position in the table on 20 points. Their new signings have been impressive, while the likes of Cani and Bruno have been instrumental in the early part of the season.
Their away form, however, has been patchy. They have won twice on the road, but have also lost twice. Much of their success has been built on a strong home record – where they have won four times, drawn once and lost just once. This is the type of match that Villarreal need to win if they are to push for Europe come next May.
PREDICTION: It would be fair to say that both sides have made smooth transitions to La Liga football this season. However, Elche have found it difficult to win on their own patch. Villarreal enter the match off the back of a couple of poor results and it is for that reason that I am backing a score draw at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Three points for Elche could move them as high as ninth, while victory for Villarreal would consolidate fourth position in the table. The away side get the action underway on this mild evening in Spain.
Just short of a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of match. Plenty of intensity in the opening couple of moments with Carlos Sanchez and Cani both committing to early challenges.
Much of the early possession has belonged to Elche, but the referee continues to be called into action to deal with a number of late challenges. The latest tackle presents a problem for Ruben Perez, who is caught by his namesake on the opposite team. Not a match for the faint-hearted at the moment with the intensity very high in the opening four minutes of football.
First sign of Villarreal as an attacking threat as Bruno collects possession in midfield before attempting to find Giovani, but Botia is across to clear at the vital moment. Uche attempts to find Trigueros moments later, but once more the danger is cleared. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening six minutes of football.
Uche is again involved for Villarreal as the Nigerian drives between two challenges before attempting to test Manu Herrera, but Suarez is across to challenge at the vital moment. Plenty happening in the middle of the park as Bruno clashes with Sanchez, but the referee is on hand to calm proceedings. It has been that type of match thus far. Still goalless at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.
Good spell for Elche in the last couple of moments as Ruben Perez twice delivers dangerous crosses into the box, but Mario and Costa take it in turns to clear the danger. Aaron Niguez has another crossing chance moments later, but there are no takers. Not too much to report in terms of chances, but the strong atmosphere inside the stadium remains.
CHANCE! The first clear chance of the match falls to the away side as Giovani finds Hernan Perez outside the box, but the midfielder can only drive his low effort wide of the post. The opportunity arrived from an Elche corner, with the home side very much in control of the possession in the early stages.
Sanchez continues his battle with Cani as the Elche midfielder fells the experienced Spaniard. However, the referee still does not look to his book. There is a real sense of ill-feeling in this match there is no question about that. The resulting free kick is played short before Uche has an effort from inside the box, but it just moved wide of the post.
Just a few signs that Villarreal are starting to warm to the task here as they continue to probe in the final third. We have not seen much of Giovani, however, with Uche their main outlet in attack. Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about, meanwhile, with each cross into the box causing few problems to the Villarreal defence.
A common feature of the first period has been Elche losing possession and allowing Villarreal to break, before a foul is committed in the middle of the park. Hernan Perez has had the only real chance of the opening 20 minutes, with neither goalkeeper too concerned with what has happened thus far. We are in need of some inspiration here.
It's good work from Lomban as the Elche defender drives past two challenges before finding Manu just outside the box, but his effort is deflected into the arms of Sergio Asenjo, who has been a spectator thus far. Villarreal are down the other end with Giovani moments later, but Cani's through pass for Uche is too long for the Nigerian.
You just get the feeling that this is the type of match where one goal could be enough to pick up all three points. We have seen plenty of attacking pressure, but clear opportunities have been few and far between. Elche again have a couple of free kicks inside the Villarreal half, but neither really tests the away side.
CROSSBAR! Wonderful chance for the home side to take the lead as Fidel beats two players before floating a cross onto the head of Manu del Moral, but the on-loan Sevilla striker's effort smashes off the top of the crossbar. That is the clearest opportunity of the match by some distance. However, it has not been taken.
Half-chance for the away side as Hernan Perez delivers a dangerous cross into the Elche box, but there are no takers. A period of pin-ball occurs in the home side's area moments later, before Ruben Perez chests behind under pressure from Uche. Much better from Villarreal with little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.
The free-kick count continues to rise as Costa receives a yellow card for a foul on Aaron. The resulting free kick is delivered into the box, but Asenjo is on hand to collect. Giovani attempts to lead a counter down the other end, but he just runs out of pitch at the final moment. Still goalless with 32 minutes on the clock.
Another half-chance for the away side as Giovani collects a loose ball inside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Carlos Sanchez enters the book moments later for a challenge on Cani, as the two continue to clash. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining. It has been non-eventful aside from a couple of moments for either side.
Elche's corner count continues to rise as they force the issue in the final third, but the likes of Mario and Costa have been dominant in the air thus far. Real stop-start tempo to the match at the moment as the referee continues to award free kicks. Cani strikes one from outside the box moments later, but it moves into the stands.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to open the scoring as Hernan Perez finds himself unmarked in the box following good work from Giovani, but the midfielder can only strike his effort into the arms of Manu Herrera. The chances are starting to arrive in the latter stages of the half.
Manu has looked the most likely for the home side this half as the on-loan Sevilla forward continues to cause problems in the Villarreal box. Twice the Spaniard forces corners in quick succession, but the first is palmed over by Asenjo before Mario clears the danger. Ruben Perez collects moments later, but he fires into the stands.
Giovani calls for a penalty as the Villarreal attacker loses his footing inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Sanchez just needs to be a little bit careful, meanwhile, as the Elche anchorman continues to make late challenges having already picked up a yellow card. Plenty happening in the latter stages of the first period.
One-way traffic in the latter stages of the first half as Villarreal continue to force the issue. Elche will be glad of the half-time whistle there is no doubt about that. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional on minute at the end of the first period. Strong end to the half from the Yellow Submarine.
HALF TIME: Elche 0-0 Villarreal
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Elche have had their moments, including a Manu header which rattled the crossbar, but Villarreal have bossed the first period at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero. It is so delicately poised ahead of the second period.
STATISTICS: Villarreal have had 57% of the possession in the first period. Meanwhile, they have had five attempts to Elche's two. It has been a slightly untidy first half in terms of challenges, but the referee has deemed just two tackles worthy of a yellow card. Elche, meanwhile, have had five corners to Villarreal's three.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Sergio Mantecon, Richmond Boakye and Coro. Meanwhile, Villarreal have the likes of Tomas Pina, Jeremy Perbet, Jonathan Pereira and Javier Aquino in reserve.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that three points for Elche could move them as high as ninth, while Villarreal would consolidate fourth position with a win. No changes for either side at the interval as Elche get the second period underway.
Bright start to the second period from Giovani as the Mexican bursts beyond two defenders before moving into the Elche box, but he pulls up at the final moment. It appears that the Villarreal forward might have picked up a groin injury. I shall keep a close eye on that one as the half unfolds. One-way traffic in the early stages of the second period.
Elche's first attack of the second half comes from Manu del Moral as the on-loan Sevilla forward bursts beyond two defenders before moving into the Villarreal box, but Mario comes across to make a fine challenge. It is bad news for Giovani moments later, however, as the Mexican is forced off. His replacement is Jonathan Pereira. Big blow for Villarreal.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments as Carles Gil fire one high and wide of the Villarreal crossbar, before Uche strikes one wide down the other end. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in this type of match. It is an old cliché, but goals change games.
The referee has been more involved than he would like in the last couple of moments as the challenges continue to arrive from both sides. Sanchez just needs to be a bit careful here as the Elche midfielder, who has already been booked, makes another clumsy challenge. Mario attempts to find the bottom corner moments later, but his effort just moves wide of Herrera's post.
Another half-chance for Villarreal as Trigueros meets a cross from Uche, but his header is straight into the arms of Herrera. Elche have had their moments in the second period, but much of the threat continues to arrive from Villarreal. It would not be a surprise if Fran Escriba was thinking about making changes.
Indeed Elche do make their first change of the match as Coro replaces Aaron Niguez, who has struggled to make an impact in the second period. Neither side is too interested in defending at the moment as each continues to commit players in the final third. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in the second period.
The card count continues to rise as Trigueros receives a booking for fouling Coro. Moments mater Villarreal break down the other end with Pereira, but there are no takers on his low cross into the box. The atmosphere is quite sensational inside the stadium as the end-to-end period of the match continues. Surely this will not end goalless.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but the intensity of the match remains. It is a surprise that we have not seen a red card with the number of challenges that continue to arrive. Both benches are also extremely animated, which is raising the atmosphere further. Still goalless with 64 minutes on the clock.
Half-chance for the home side as Perez strikes one from outside the box, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. You just get the feeling that one goal would be enough to secure all the points this evening. Pereira strikes one for Villarreal moments later, but Herrera is comfortable in dealing with the threat.
Both sides are preparing changes as we approach the final 20 minutes of football. Elche do indeed make their change as Pelegrin replaces Lomban, who limps off the pitch. The home side have made two changes thus far, while Villarreal have made one, with Pereira replacing the injured Giovani in the early stages of the second period.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Villarreal as Bruno meets a free kick from Cani, but Herrera is on hand to make a stunning save from close range. Two corners follow in quick succession, but somehow Elche survive. The pressure is certainly building with little under 20 minutes of football remaining.
The threat from Villarreal continues to arrive in the wide areas as Perez cuts inside two defenders before driving a low cross into the box, but Botia is across to clear. The resulting corner is delivered under the crossbar, but Herrera manages to punch clear. Elche just cannot get out of their own half at the moment as the pressure continues.
Trigueros is the luckiest man on the pitch after - having already been booked - committing a poor challenge on Perez in the middle of the park. He could have been given his marching orders there. You just get the feeling that this is the type of match that Villarreal need to win if they are to finish in a European place come next May.
Villarreal make their second change of the match as Pina replaces Trigueros, which is not much of a surprise. He has been taken off before he was sent off. Still no sign of the first goal this evening, but both sides continue to push players forward. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.
Elche make their third and final change of the match as their pacey striker Boakye replaces Manu, who has faded after an impressive first period. Villarreal follow suit as the Yellow Submarine introduce Javier Aquino for Cani. Both managers have played all their available cards with 81 minutes on the clock.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, with Elche just slowing the tempo with a period of possession. In truth, a draw would not be the worst result for either side, but Villarreal have looked the most likely to claim all three points. That may still be the case with time remaining.
Boakye threatens for Elche as he collects a pass from Coro before moving into the final third, but the offside flag is raised at the final moment. Villarreal are down the other end with Uche moments later, but once more the flag cuts the attack short. Little under five minutes of normal time remaining. Will someone nick this late on?
Stop-start period of the match in the last couple of moments as both sides continue to harm the tempo with a series of challenges. I suspect that both managers would take a point at this stage of proceedings. Another deep cross comes into the Villarreal box moments later, but Mario manages to clear at the vital moment.
Opportunity for Villarreal to threaten from a free kick as Aquino is felled outside the box by Coro. The resulting set piece is taken by Bruno, but his effort is pushed clear by Herrera.
GOAL! Elche 0-1 Villarreal (Uche)
Oh my word. Villarreal take the lead in the final minute as Pereira's scuffed shot falls to Uche, who cannot miss as he turns home from close range. It looked offside, but the flag stayed down. What an incredible end to this match.
We are into the third and final minute of stoppage time this evening. Elche continue to fire high balls into the box, but it is just not sticking in the final third. Villarreal are nearing another three points, which would consolidate fourth position in the table.
FULL TIME: Elche 0-1 Villarreal
So there we have it. Incredible conclusion to the match as Uche wins it late on for Villarreal. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us tomorrow evening for Champions League football. Until then!
