Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Mestalla as Valencia welcome Villarreal. Three points for the hosts would see them return to third position ahead of Atletico Madrid, while Villarreal will be keen to recover from what has been a disappointing run of form.

First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.

So there we have it. Valencia are without the services of Argentine midfielder Enzo Perez this afternoon, but striker Paco Alcacer is fit to return. Sofiane Feghouli and Pablo Piatti are also given spots in the XI, while Antonio Barragan starts at right-back. Dani Parejo will captain the team from midfield.

Villarreal boss Marcelino, meanwhile, includes Eric Bailly at the heart of his defence alongside Mateo Musacchio. Jonathan dos Santos and Joel Campbell also start, while top scorer Luciano Vietto is joined by Gerard Moreno in attack. Denis Cheryshev remains on the sidelines for the Yellow Submarine.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Valencia have won three of the last five, with Villarreal also winning once and the further clash ending in a draw. Valencia have also been victorious in their last four home meetings with Villarreal, which is their best winning run against the Yellow Submarine at the Mestalla. The reverse match earlier this season ended in a 3-1 Valencia win.

Valencia have not been beaten in the league since losing away to Malaga at the start of last month. Since then, they have won six of their seven league games, with that run of form consolidating their spot in the top four. They have dropped to fourth following Atletico Madrid's 2-0 win at basement side Cordoba on Saturday, but victory here would see Los Che return to third position in the table.

Valencia's impressive season has been built on their form at the Mestalla, where they have won 12 of their 14 matches and lost just once. They have also only conceded eight times on their own patch this season. On the road, they have won six times, but dropped points in eight of their 14 matches. A top-three finish this term would go down as a major success for the 2004 Spanish champions.

Villarreal, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 home defeat to Sevilla before the international break. They were also beaten by Sevilla in the last-16 stage of the Europa League – losing both legs against their Spanish rivals. That said, Marcelino's team have only lost one of their last five in the league and remain sixth in the table on 49 points. They have had an impressive season to date.

Despite losing at home to Sevilla last time out, Villarreal's form at El Madrigal has been strong this season – winning 10 of their 14 league games. However, the Yellow Submarine have struggled for league victories on the road – winning just four of their 14 games. That said, they have only lost three times on their travels, which is a record that can only be bettered by Barcelona this season.

PREDICTION! I am finding it difficult to look past a home win here. Villarreal are having a strong season, but Valencia are so good on their own patch. My score prediction is 2-0 Valencia here.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the away side get the first 45 minutes underway.

It has been a slightly untidy opening couple of minutes, with the referee forced into action and both teams conceding possession in the middle of the park. Who will be able to settle first here?

Valencia have been able to get some joy down the right in the opening minutes here, with Feghouli and Barragan combining in a forward area. Villarreal manage to work the ball into the final third as Campbell slides a pass into Vietto, but Otamendi is on hand to clear at the vital moment.

Andre Gomes tries his luck for Valencia after finding space outside the box, but his low effort on the half-volley was always moving wide of the post. Bright opening five minutes to this contest.

i have a feeling that it could be a busy afternoon for the referee as Moreno becomes involved with Gaya after the award of a free kick. There is an underlying tension to this game at the moment.

Good pressure from Villarreal as they force two corners in quick succession, but the home side manage to clear on both occasions. Neither side is really in control of the match as it stands.

It has been a good spell for Villarreal in the last couple of moments, with the visitors keeping possession in the Valencia half. We have not seen too much from the home team as an attacking threat thus far, with both Piatti and Feghouli struggling to get into the game in wide positions.

Villarreal have the chance to threaten from a set piece as Parejo brings Vietto to the ground. The resulting free kick is delivered by Jonathan dos Santos, but Diego Alves comes to collect.

The referee is allowing the play to flow at the moment, which is creating an end-to-end contest. Villarreal have arguably been the better team in the opening 14 minutes as they continue to threaten in the final third, but neither side has created a clear opportunity of any note thus far here.

Vietto is going to need a change of shorts here after a collision with Otamendi. The Argentine defender ripped the striker's shorts clean off! What a bizarre moment at the Mestalla.

Referee get your card out! The challenges continue to fly in, but still no bookings. Whoever is booked first this afternoon will be the fall-guy for a number of tackles that have already occurred.

Jonathan dos Santos finds space in a wide area before attempting to deliver, but again it is poor from the Villarreal midfielder and Valencia have a goal kick. Still no real opportunities thus far!

Javi Fuego is the latest player to commit a late challenge, but still no yellow card from the referee. Jonathan dos Santos once again stands over the set piece, but Alves manages to clear. That is much more like it from the Mexican, who delivered a super ball behind the Valencia defensive line.

BOOKING! Mario (Villarreal) is booked for a late challenge on Gomes.

Valencia have not really been at it thus far as another free kick from Parejo is cleared by the first Villarreal defender. We are in need of some inspiration as this first half gathers pace here.

Half-chance for the home side as Gaya meets a bouncing ball outside the Villarreal box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Bits and bobs, but that is about it at the moment.

Half-chance for Villarreal this time as Moreno drives to the edge of the Valencia box before attempting to beat Alves, but it is a fairly comfortable save for the Brazilian goalkeeper.

Valencia force a half-chance when Mustafi meets a deep free kick from Parejo, but his header was always moving wide of the post. We are still waiting for the first clear opportunity at the Mestalla.

Excellent defending from Bailly as the Villarreal centre-back comes across to clear a through ball from Parejo, who had searched out Alcacer inside the penalty area. Both teams have defended well in the opening 30 minutes, which has contributed to a lack of chances. Still goalless in Valencia here.

BOOKING! Vietto wants a penalty as he goes down inside the Valencia box, but the referee instead books the Argentine for diving. It was not the best challenge from Gaya it must be said!

The referee continues to play a central role in this match with the challenges flying in from both teams. The opening 33 minutes have flown past, but we are still waiting for the first goal here.

Just a reminder that only three points would see Valencia return to third position in the table. Villarreal have arguably been the better team thus far as they continue to cause problems in attack.

We are still waiting for the first real opportunity of this match, which is a surprise at this stage of proceedings. Both defences have been on top thus far at the Mestalla there is no doubt about that.

BOOKING! Parejo (Valencia) is booked for a late challenge on Campbell.

Jonathan dos Santos has the chance to deliver from the resulting set piece, but again it is disappointing from the former Barcelona midfielder, which sums up the first period here.

Bailly has had a very good first half for Villarreal here, with the Ivorian coming across once again to clear a through pass from Parejo. Will we have a breakthrough late in the first period here?

Not too much to report in terms of chances as we approach the half-time break in Valencia.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. In truth, it has not been a great first 45 minutes. Both sides have had bits and bobs in the final third, but we are still waiting for the first real opportunity. Let's hope for improvement in the second period.

STATS! Villarreal have shaded the possession in the first period (55%), while they have had the game's only attempt on target. Valencia have had four shots, but have thus far failed to test Asenjo in the Villarreal goal. There have been three bookings, meanwhile, during an untidy first period.

BENCH WATCH! Valencia have not had too much in the final third thus far, but head coach Nuno has plenty of attacking options on his bench, with the likes of De Paul, Negredo and Rodrigo all in reserve. Villarreal, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Giovani dos Santos and Sergi Marcos.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a breakthrough at the Mestalla? It is the home side that get the second 45 minutes underway.

No changes from either manager at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains level for the next 10, 15 minutes here.

Villarreal have the chance to threaten from a set piece as Parejo brings Trigueros to the ground in a central area. Jonathan dos Santos delivers, but Otamendi is on hand to make the clearance.

Villarreal continue to force the issue as Campbell delivers a cross from the left, but Otamendi makes the clearance with a super header. Valencia have not really been at it thus far this afternoon.

The home supporters remain vocal inside the stadium, but it has been a disappointing display from Los Che thus far here. There is still a lot of time for matters to change at the Mestalla though.

Possession football from Valencia as they pass and probe outside the Villarreal box, but they are still not really threatening. Alcacer strikes one after combining with Parejo, but his effort is too high.

To be blunt, this is not a particularly good game at the moment. It has been a let-down thus far.

We are getting to the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes. In truth, both are in need of some inspiration. Still goalless with little over 30 minutes remaining here.

It has not quite happened for Alcacer this afternoon, with the Valencia attacker failing to collect another through ball, this time from Gomes. Villarreal are preparing to make their first change.

Good pressure from Villarreal as they force two corners in quick succession, but Valencia manage to clear the danger as Otamendi hammers down-field. Good spell for the visitors at the moment.

SUB! Villarreal make their first change as Moreno is replaced by Giovani dos Santos.

You just get the feeling that one goal would be enough to secure all the points here. Both defences must be credited for their performances until this point. Rukavina is imminent for the visitors here.

Valencia threaten from a deep free kick, which a host of bodies jump to meet, but Villarreal somehow manage to scramble clear to keep the score at 0-0. The tempo is just starting to rise here.

SUB! Villarreal make their second change as Rukavina replaces Campbell.

SUB! Valencia make their first change as Rodrigo replaces Feghouli.

If Valencia are going to finish third this season then you just get the feeling that these are the type of games that they need to win. Villarreal have put up a very strong stance thus far at the Mestalla.

BOOKING! Giovani (Villarreal) is booked for handball.

SUB! Valencia make their second change as Orban replaces Gaya.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with a number of subs harming the flow of the match. Little over 20 minutes of normal time remaining in Valencia here.

CHANCE! Valencia come close to breaking the deadlock as Rodrigo strikes one from outside the box, but Asenjo manages to make the save before clawing clear under pressure.

SUB! Villarreal make their third and final change as Alfonso replaces Jonathan dos Santos.

Good pressure from Villarreal in the last couple of moments as Giovani and Vietto both have attempts from outside the box, but Valencia manage to block the danger. Still goalless at the Mestalla.

You just get the feeling that there is a goal in this match as Valencia prepare to make their third and final change. It would be some time for Negredo to pop up with a much-needed goal. Valencia have the chance to threaten from a set piece, but the free kick fails to beat the first defender.

SUB! Valencia make their third and final change as Negredo replaces Alcacer.

Villarreal goalkeeper Asenjo has picked up an injury here, but the away side have made all three changes. Worrying moment for the supporters as the Spanish stopper receives some treatment.

Asenjo is back on his feet and will indeed continue here.

Good pressure from Villarreal in the last couple of minutes, but they are struggling to find that final pass as Valencia clear once again. Time is running out if we are to have a winner this afternoon.

Negredo tries his luck for the home side as he attempts an over-head kick from just inside the box, but his effort was straight into the arms of Asenjo, who has recovered from that knock.

Valencia want a penalty as Negredo goes down inside the box under a challenge from Bailly, but the referee is not interested and instead awards Villarreal a free kick. More frustration here!

BOOKING! Bailly (Villarreal) is booked for fouling Piatti just outside the box...

... Parejo takes the resulting free kick, but his effort was always rising just over the crossbar.

Half-chance for the home side as Barragan delivers a deep cross towards the head of Negredo, but Asenjo is there first and manages to claim. We are entering the very final moments here.

BOOKING! Otamendi (Valencia) is booked for bringing Vietto to the ground.

The resulting free kick is delivered by Trigueros, but Valencia clear at the near post.

We are into the first of five additional minutes at the Mestalla.

The play continues to flow from end-to-end as both sides search for a winner here, but time is running out. Orban delivers a cross into the Villarreal box, but Bailly is on hand to clear.

BOOKING! Alfonso (Villarreal) is booked for fouling Parejo.

Villarreal are camped to the edge of their own box at the moment as Valencia deliver cross after cross, but it just will not fall for a white shirt inside the box. Still time for a late winner here.

We are into the final minute of stoppage time and it is Valencia that remain on the front foot. Another half-chance arrives when Rodrigo meets a long ball, but his header is just over the crossbar.

Parejo is a touch fortunate to escape a red card as he seems to throw his arm into the face of Bailly, who had cleared ahead of the midfielder. Bailly has had a wonderful game for the visitors.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the match finishing level at the Mestalla. Valencia remain fourth in the table behind third-place Atletico Madrid, while Villarreal are still sixth. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!