David Moyes is on course to maintain his unbeaten start to life as manager of Real Sociedad having seen his side hold Villarreal to a goalless first half at El Madrigal.
Luciano Vietto squandered the first real chance of the game to give the hosts an early lead, firing over the bar after being played in by Ikechukwu Uche's flick on.
The 21-year-old saw another opportunity come and go on the half-hour mark with his strike from a promising position being well blocked, as the Yellow Submarine continued to push for a breakthrough.
As half time approached Sociedad continued to be pegged back, focusing mainly on counter-attacks, and Uche really should have put Villarreal ahead a minute before the break when he was played through, only to strike the ball right at Enaut Zubikarai.