Cedric Bakambu scored twice as Villarreal recorded a 2-1 victory over Sparta Prague in the quarter-finals of the Europa League tonight.
The DR Congo international broke the deadlock in just the third minute, before Jakub Brabec responded for the visitors in first-half stoppage time.
Bakambu ensured that the Spaniards would have a lead to take with them to Prague for the second leg, though, when he curled in the winner in the 63rd minute.
Find out how the match unfolded with Sports Mole's text updates below.
Evening all. So far this week we've feasted on the last eight of the Champions League, but tonight the main course is the Europa League quarter-finals. Here, our focus will be on Sparta Prague's trip to the Estadio El Madrigal to face Villarreal.
While a lot of the attention this evening will be on Jurgen Klopp's return to Borussia Dortmund with his Liverpool side, this encounter has also been eagerly anticipated. That is because in hosting Villarreal we have a big favourite to advance through, while Sparta have already proven themselves to be competent giant killers en route to the last eight. Something will have to give.
Okay, without further ado, let's get the team news from the Western coast of Spain...
TEAM NEWS:
Villarreal: Asenjo; Mario, Bailly, Ruiz, Costa; Castillejo, Trigueros, Bruno, Suarez; Soldado; Bakambu
Sparta: Bicik; Costa, Holek, Brabec; Marecek, Frydek, Matejovsky, Dockal, Krejci; Julis, Konate
The big news for the home side is that Mateo Musacchio and Daniele Bonera are absent with hamstring and groin complaints respectively. That is a big blow when you consider that those two defenders have played a key role in Villarreal not conceding a goal at home in five Europa League matches this season. Right-back Antonio Rukavina is also missing because of suspension.
In more positive news, Cedric Bakambu starts this encounter up front for the home team. The Frenchman has scored four goals in as many Europa League outings at the Estadio El Madrigal. He will be partnered in attack by former Tottenham Hotspur frontman Roberto Soldado.
The headline news for Sparta is that veteran frontman David Lafata is named among the substitutes. That is somewhat of a surprise given that the 34-year-old has scored five goals in 466 minutes of Europa League action - only four players have found the more times. Lafata is also club captain, so it's a strange decision from head coach Zdenek Scasny.
In goal, David Bicik has overcome a finger injury to start, which means that ex-West Ham United stopper Marek Stech is confined to a place on the bench alongside Lafata. However, midfielder Petr Jiracek will play no part because of a muscular complaint.
Neither of these sides have previously won this competition in any of its versions, but in playmaker Denis Suarez, Villarreal do have somebody that has got their hands on the trophy. The 22-year-old was part of the Sevilla squad that triumphed just over 12 months ago. Talking to the club's official website, here's what he had to say about tonight's game:
"The Europa League makes us really excited,'' he told Villarreal's official website. I already won it last year and we want to win it this year too. We must focus on ourselves. We're the favourites, but Sparta Prague come to us after knocking out Krasnodar and Lazio and so we can't think it's won.
"Our season is going excellently. We're playing really well in the league and in the Europa League we're in the thick of the knockout stages, where we must fight to the death. Playing at home in the first leg will benefit us. We must play hard to win and keep a clean sheet so we can defend our lead at their ground."
Meanwhile, in the Sparta corner, winger Martin Frydek has conceded that his side are technically inferior to their opponents. Nonetheless, the Czech Republic international is backing the team spirit to come out on top. After all, they must be full confidence given that along with Liverpool, they are the only side to have gone the entire competition unbeaten:
"The feeling we have just from getting to the quarter-finals is fabulous. Villarreal will be very tough opponents obviously. Like all Liga sides they have marvellous technical ability. There are two difficult games ahead of us," he told UEFA's official website.
"Villarreal might have better footballers than us, but we have made the most of our teamwork and can do so again."
HOW THEY GOT HERE:
Villarreal: Finishing second to group winners Rapid Vienna, the Yellow Submarine were faced with one of the pre-tournament favourites Napoli in the last 32. They came out on top, though, thanks to a 2-1 aggregate triumph. Next up was Bayer Leverkusen, who were disposed of 2-0 over 180 minutes of football.
Sparta: Three draws and three wins in the group stages saw the Czechs advance in second place behind Schalke 04. After that, highly fancied Russian outfit Krasnodar were impressively dispatched 4-0 on aggregate. They have saved the best until most recent, though, as an unexpected 3-0 triumph away at the Stadio Olimpico against Lazio sealed a 4-1 victory.
One thing is for sure, the pitch is in pristine shape and the sun is shining in Castellon. The perfect conditions for football.
But, while it looks pleasant out there, it is worth noting that Spain has not been the happiest of hunting grounds for Sparta. They have won five, drawn two and lost 10 of their 17 European matches against Spanish teams. But, what's worse is the fact that they have not scored in and of their four most recent trips. You feel that if they are going to stand any chance of qualifying, they must end that barren spell and nick at least one away goal.
In contrast, Villarreal's record against teams from the Czech Republic is relatively positive. In five matches, they have collected three wins and two draws. They actually came up against Sparta's compatriots Viktoria Plzen in the group stages, which yielded a return of a 1-0 win at home and then an entertaining 3-3 draw in Plzen.
If this is anything to go by, it's going to be a noisy night inside El Madrigal:
Of course, not only does the winner of this competition get themselves a nice shiny trophy, a place in next season's Champions League is also on offer. Given that they sit eight points clear in La Liga's fourth spot, Villarreal may not need it. Sparta, on the other hand, are nine points adrift in second in the Czech league. With only the champions gaining a Champions League place, winning this tournament would be massive for them - both in terms of glory and finances.
Right, we are not too far away from the start of this game now. While we wait, let's see what the two head coaches had to say about this tie in their respective pres conferences...
Marcelino, Villarreal boss: "Sparta will make things very difficult and we cannot write them off as easy opponents. If they were, they wouldn't be in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League and they wouldn't have beaten tough teams like Krasnodar and Lazio.
"We might be the favourites but we'll try not to get into trouble by believing we are already through. Sometimes we forget what a great season we're having. We just think that the enormous success we've had so far is normal. The players are making that possible."
Scasny, Sparta boss: "Before the tenth minute of every game - regardless of the opposition, even Barcelona - Villarreal create one, two or three clear chances. We have to cover everything they are good at, while also creating our own opportunities. We must acknowledge our qualities and what we can achieve with them.
"When analysing previous opponents I've always found weak points. Sometimes it was the space in front of the central defenders, sometimes down the wings. But this time I told the players that after watching four or five Villarreal games I don't see a weak point."
Right, the players are now in the tunnel area. They'll be out on the pitch shortly and once the handshakes are completed, we'll be off and running. As expected, there's a great atmosphere building.
KICKOFF! Unbeaten Sparta, who will attack from left to right as you look out from the tunnel, get us underway.
GOAL! VILLARREAL 1-0 SPARTA (BAKAMBU)
Sparta goalkeeper Bicik passed a late fitness test to play, but he will now wish that he hadn't bothered! He takes a good first touch, but then dawdles over his clearance. That allows the lively Bakambu to close down the shot-stopper, who is soon panicking. His hasty clearance strikes the Villarreal frontman on the back and creeps inside the near post. Perfect start for the hosts, nightmare for Sparta!
In fact, replays show that it wasn't Bakambu's back that made the intervention, but his outstretched left boot instead. Either way, it's his fifth Europa League goal at home this season.
Also...
CHANCE! A big opportunity to make it 2-0 to the hosts. A corner is worked towards the back post, where Gasper is waiting completely unmarked. He cannot arrange his feet in time, though, as he volleys over from six yards out. All Villarreal right now.
SAVE! To Bicik's credit, he may have messed up badly for the first goal, but he's just stopped his side from falling two goals behind. Villarreal winger Castillejo is afforded too much time inside the box, only to drill his half-volley straight at the Sparta goalkeeper.
Castillejo is causing all sorts of problems for Sparta right now. Although predominantly right footed, the winger is able to cut inside almost at will, from where he is linking up well the likes of Soldado. The visitors need to get him on a tighter leash if possible.
There's an interesting battle developing between Villarreal frontman Soldado and Sparta defender Costa. They have just clashed inside the box, resulting in the former of the two dropping to the floor clutching his head. The referee, however, is not interested and play continues.
SAVE! The home side really should be over the hill and far away now. Bakambu races clear of the Sparta defence, but then seems to hesitate as he enters the penalty area. Bicik stands up tall and is able to turn the striker's eventual shot behind for a corner.
A worrying moment for Villarreal as the lively Castillejo goes down clutching his ankle after landing awkwardly. He's up now, but is moving gingerly.
SPARTA SUB: Talking of injuries, Holek's night is over. It seems he's picked up a hamstring problem and will play no further part. Kovac has taken his place - it's his first appearance of the season.
West Ham fans may remember Radoslav Kovac from his brief loan stint in 2009. He scored in a 3-1 defeat away at Everton I believe.
BOOKING! The first yellow card of the evening goes the way of Sparta defender Brabec for a clear pull on Soldado's shirt.
SAVE! Yes he was at fault for the goal, but Bicik is staking a real claim for the Man of the Match award. Bakambu darts towards the near post, where he meets Soldado's cross with a diving header. The ball is destined for the bottom corner, but the Sparta custodian is down well to save.
CHANCE! Oh dear Senor Castillejo! You do wonder if Villarreal are going to end up paying for all these wasted opportunities. Suarez's low cross appears to have left the winger with a routine finish 10 yards from goal, but he blazes wildly over the bar.
BOOKING! Villarreal full-back Costa talks his way into the referee's notebook. So needless.
BOOKING! Now it's Matejovsky's turn to see yellow for deliberate handball. The game has slowed right down over the last five minutes or so.
BOOKING! It's yellow cards galore right now. Sparta defender Costa is the man that is cautioned for crashing into Suarez. It means that he will be banned for the second leg.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time at the end of this first half.
GOAL! VILLARREAL 1-1 SPARTA (BRABEC)
HALF-TIME: VILLARREAL 1-1 SPARTA
I mentioned a little while ago that Villarreal may rue missing all of those chances and just seconds before the interval, it's happened. Brabec shows good strength inside the area and sends his downward header bouncing into the far corner. That is his third goal in the Europa League this season. Sparta have been second best of that there is no doubt, yet they have a vital away goal.
The home team's dressing room is bound to be a tetchy place over the next 15 minutes. Had they scored three or four goals, Prague could not really have any complaints. But, they've been wasteful in front of goal and were duly punished with a sucker punch. The message from Marcelino is likely to be more of the same in an attacking sense, just make sure they convert a few of their chances!
As for Sparta, they are bound to be in buoyant mood. Yes, they've relied heavily on their goalkeeper, but away from home in Europe that is often the case. In fact, he cost them the Villarreal goal! The goal on the stroke of the break has changed the whole complexion of the tie and providing that they can now keep it tight, they'll fancy their chances back in Prague next week. Long way to go before that of course.
MATCH ACTION! Here's Villarreal's Castillejo (right) battling for possession with Holek, who has since limped off with an injury.
RESTART! The home side get proceedings back underway.
CROSSBAR! Having scored so early in the first half, Villarreal go ever so close to matching that feat. Gasper gets up highest at the back post to meet Soldado's flick on, but he can only plant his header against the top of the bar.
SAVE! Lovely football from Villarreal as Costa drives forward from left-back. His pass inside picks out Bakambu, who in turn feeds Soldado on the edge of the box. His low shot is well placed, yet it is lacking in power and that allows Bicik to turn the danger away.
STAT!
Very little happening right now. Villarreal are having virtually all of the possession, but they are doing very little with it. It looks like Marcelino is about to make at least one change.
VILLARREAL SUB: And indeed here is the alteration. The lively but wasteful Castillejo has been replaced by Brazilian striker Baptistao, who is on loan from Atletico Madrid.
GOAL! VILLARREAL 2-1 SPARTA (BAKAMBU)
Just when it seemed that Villarreal may have been running out of ideas, their main man Bakambu steps up to the plate. Suarez pokes the ball through to him and from 20 yards out, he bends a perfect effort out of Bicik's reach and into the corner of the net. That's his seventh goal in this season's Europa League, all of which have come at home.
With an away goal, you would imagine that Sparta will take this result. They will have a good chance in the second leg in front of their own fans. However, were Villarreal to nick another goal, they will be big favourites. They have just over 20 minutes to find one.
STAT! What a season it has been for the French marksmen:
SPARTA SUB: Off comes the ineffective Julis, with Fatai entering the action.
SAVE! That should really have been the hat-trick for Bakambu. First Suarez draws a stop from Bicik, with the rebound dropping kindly for Villarreal's main striker. However, his shot is straight at the Sparta keeper, who saves well.
VILLARREAL SUB: A change at full-back for Villarreal as the energetic Costa comes off with cramp. He's been replaced by 19-year-old Marin.
CHANCE! How have Villarreal not scored at least five goals here?! Gasper, a defender, could have had a hat-trick! He's just drilled a shot across the face of goal, but it goes inches wide of the far post.
VILLARREAL SUB: Two-goal hero Bakambu's work is done for the night. He's been replaced by Lopez.
Sparta's Costa can count himself very fortunate that he has not been sent off. On a booking, he's just ploughed through the back of Soldado. Most referees would have brandished a second yellow card, but the defender gets lucky.
SPARTA SUB: Matejovsky's night is over and on comes the Czech league's leading goalscorer of all time Lafata.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time. One goal either way changes the whole complexion of this tie.
FULL TIME: VILLARREAL 2-1 SPARTA
Well, there you have it. Villarreal will have a slender advantage to take with them to Prague when it should have been much, much greater. Will they live to regret it? Sparta will fancy their chances, that's for sure.
That is all we have time for this evening. Thanks for joining Sports Mole's coverage tonight and until next time, goodbye.
