Villarreal welcomed Granada to the Camp El Madrigal on Friday knowing that three points would move them into third spot in the La Liga table.
The home side took the lead after 30 minutes courtesy of a stunning strike from Bruno, with his effort all that separated the two sides at the interval.
It was 2-0 in the early stages of the second period when Giovani dos Santos turned home from close range, before Tomas Pina made sure of the points late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Week eight in La Liga opens this evening as Villarreal welcome Granada. As mentioned, it has been an impressive start to the season for the home side, with 14 points from their seven games leaving them in fourth position, just two points shy of Real Madrid. Granada, meanwhile, currently occupy 12th spot in the table.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, the pair exchanged home wins in the 2011-12 campaign – the last time that Villarreal were in La Liga. Villarreal collected all the points in a 3-1 win in February 2012, but Granada were 1-0 winners on their own patch. That said, much has changed at both sides since then.
TEAMS:
VILLARREAL: Asenjo; Mario, Musacchio, Dorado, Jokic; Bruno, Pina, Cani; Aquino, Pereira, Giovani
GRANADA: Roberto; Nyom, Diakhate, Murillo, Angulo; Pereira, Iturra, Yebda, Brahimi, Buonanotte; El-Arabi
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Villarreal XI this evening with Bojan Jokic continuing in defence. Meanwhile, Javier Aquino, Giovani dos Santos and Jonathan Pereira are all selected in attacking lineup. Granada are without the injured Dani Benitez, but Diego Buonanotte and Youssef El-Arabi both start. Plenty of attacking personnel on display this evening.
Despite only returning to La Liga in the summer, Villarreal had not been expected to struggle this season. However, even their most ardent supporter would have found it difficult to predict such a positive start. They started the season in incredible form, but they have managed just one win from their last four matches.
Their most impressive result of the season came in a 2-2 draw at home to Real Madrid, while they also thumped Osasuna away and inflicted on Espanyol their first defeat of the season. It could be argued that they are playing the most attractive football of all 20 teams in the league, but they enter this match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Real Betis last time out.
In their seven matches thus far, Villarreal have conceded seven times, keeping two clean sheets in the process. Down the other end, they have scored 12 times, which is the joint-fourth best record in the league. Granada have found the back of the net just five times, but they have conceded just five times, which is the joint-best record in the league alongside Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Injuries have certainly not helped Granada’s cause this season with summer signing Piti missing a lot of football in the early part of the campaign. As it stands, they sit in 12th position having collected eight points from their seven matches, but such is the league at the moment, they could move as high as seventh with all three points this evening.
Indeed, Granada enter the match off the back of a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao last time out, which was just their second league win of the season. Of their last five matches, they have won one, drawn two and lost two. However, they will see this match as the perfect opportunity to put some form together.
PREDICTION: Villarreal will enter the match full of confidence following a positive start to the season, but Granada put in their best performance of the campaign as they overcame Athletic Bilbao last time out. That said, I think the home side will have too much for their opponents this evening. I am going to back a 3-1 Villarreal win.
Here we go then. The handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Just a reminder of the main team news - Pereira, Aquino and Dos Santos all start in attacking lineup for Villarreal. Meanwhile, Granada continue with El-Arabi as their line striker. Right, the away side get the action underway on this warm evening in Spain.
Unsurprisingly, there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. Confident start from the home side as Pereira bursts down the right before finding Pina on the edge of the box, but the Spaniard can only fire high and wide of the crossbar. Immediate threat in the wide area. Granada will have to be aware of that this evening that is for certain.
Granada's first real threat comes from a free kick as El-Arabi is felled by Mario. The resulting set piece is delivered into the box by Buonanotte, but Dorado is on hand with the clearance. The pressure remains as Iturra looks for the run of Pereira, but Asenjo is off his line to collect the danger.
Good spell for the away side in the last couple of moments with Pereira and Brahimi seeing plenty of the ball in wide areas. The latter threatens with a deep cross into the box, but Asenjo is out to gather. Pina attempts to lead a counter for Villarreal moments later, but the holding midfielder runs into traffic. High-tempo six minutes of football at the Camp El Madrigal.
It's bright work from Cani as the Villarreal midfielder collects possession in midfield before searching out the run of Dos Santos, but it just asks too much of the Mexican. Jokic's pace causes a problem for the away side down the left moments later, but his cross is into the arms of the waiting Roberto.
Half-chance for Dos Santos as the Mexican finds some space outside the box before striking an effort on goal, but Angulo deflects it over the crossbar. The resulting corner is met by the head of Musacchio, but Diakhate just manages to put his sizeable frame in the way. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if we indeed have one - could be vital this evening.
Again it's bright work from Jokic as the Villarreal left-back finds some space down the left before whipping a dangerous cross into the box, but Roberto just manages to collect under pressure from Dos Santos. Cani and Aquino had exchanged passes in the box moments before, but Yebda was across to clear at the vital moment. Still goalless with 13 minutes on the clock.
Dos Santos remains the main threat for the home side as he twice drives into the Granada box in quick succession, but he is dispossessed at the final moment on each occasion. Granada are down the other end with Brahimi moments later, but his effort is straight down Asenjo's throat. End-to-end football with both sides committing numbers to each attack.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges from both sides. Not too much to report in terms of opportunities, but that isn't through the want of trying. Two well-watched sides on display at the Camp El Madrigal this evening.
Villarreal continue to force the issue in the wide areas with Aquino and Pereira enjoying plenty of the ball, but the final pass has not been there thus far. A free kick arrives for the home side moments later as Dos Santos is felled by Iturra outside the box - the resulting free kick is played short to Pereira, but his effort is wide of the post.
Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about at the moment as Granada continue to hand possession to Villarreal in the final third. Jokic and Dorado are both playing like wingers as they continue to deliver crosses into the Granada box, but the final pass has not been there thus far.
CHANCE! The clearest opening of the match thus far arrives for Pereira, but the Villarreal winger cannot divert a Bruno cross into the box from close range. He just had to score. Moments later Pina finds himself unmarked in the Granada box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
No question that Villarreal are the team in the ascendancy as they continue to dominate possession in the final third, but the Granada defence has been nice and compact thus far. The home supporters are doing their best to raise the atmosphere inside the stadium - and it is rubbing off on those in yellow shirts.
Painful one for Yebda as the Granada midfielder appears to land on his shoulder inside his own box, but he is able to continue following a brief spell of treatment. Dos Santos attempts to wriggle into the Granada area moments later, he evades one challenge, but Nyom is on the cover. Still goalless with 28 minutes on the clock in this La Liga encounter.
Half-chance for Aquino this time as the Mexican is presented with the ball just outside the Granada box, but he fires it out of the stadium. That has landed somewhere in Portugal I think. Possession football for Villarreal as they continue to force the issue, but they just cannot find a way through. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining at the Camp El Madrigal.
GOAL! Villarreal 1-0 Granada (Bruno)
Villarreal take the lead! It's a stunning effort from the skipper Bruno as he thumps one into the top corner following good work from Cani. The game needed a special moment and now we have had one. That has certainly lifted the atmosphere inside the stadium.
Buonanotte has a half-chance for Granada as he collects a pass from Iturra before turning outside the Villarreal box, but he drags his effort wide of the post. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if we indeed have one - could be vital. It is difficult to imagine Granada coming back from 2-0 down in this stadium.
Granada just need to be careful here, especially Iturra, who has had a lot to say to the referee in the last couple of moments. It is almost 2-0 moments later as Dorado strikes an effort from inside the box, but it smashes into the side netting. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining in this La Liga encounter.
Granada want a penalty as Mario appears to bundle El-Arabi over inside the box, but the referee is not interested, much to the frustration of the away side's bench. Pereira has a stinging effort down the other end moments later, but Roberto is across to make a fine save. End-to-end football with 38 minutes on the clock.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments, but the home side remain in control with the likes of Bruno and Cani utterly controlling the midfield. Iturra continues to throw his weight around, but it might cost him a yellow card. Pereira drives into the Villarreal box moments later, but Mario manages to make the clearance.
CHANCE! It's wonderful work from Brahimi as the Granada winger dances into the box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Mario is across to challenge at the vital moment. He has looked the most likely for the away side in the opening 43 minutes of proceedings.
It really is a high-tempo affair at the moment with the challenges flying in from both sides, but the referee is not too interested in looking to his pocket. Roberto is forced to clear with his head moments later, it falls to Cani outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the target.
HALF TIME: Villarreal 1-0 Granada
So there we have it. The referee brings the half to an end with Villarreal leading courtesy of a fine strike from Bruno after 30 minutes. In truth, it has been a half that has been utterly dominated by the home side, but at just 1-0, Granada are more than in this match. It is delicately poised ahead of the second period.
STATISTICS: Villarreal have had 56% of the possession thus far, while they have had 10 attempts to Granada's three. However, just two of the home side's attempts have been on target. The referee has not issued any cards in the first period, but a couple of players are surely on their last warnings.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Uche, Perbet and Trigueros. Meanwhile, Granada have the likes of Ighalo, Riki and Foulquier in reserve. The latter impressed on his debut against Bilbao last week and it would not be a surprise to see the Frenchman in the second period.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Malaga against Osasuna so be sure to remain with us for that. Right, the home side get the second 45 minutes underway in the Camp El Madrigal.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise based on what we have seen thus far. Just a reminder that three points for Villarreal would move them into third spot in the table - some start for the newly-promoted outfit. However, you just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals. Granada need some inspiration from somewhere that is for certain.
Not too much to report in the early stages of the second period with the home side in charge of the possession. You just get the feeling that another Villarreal goal would put the match beyond the away side. The atmosphere inside the stadium remains electric.
GOAL! Villarreal 2-0 Granada (Dos Santos)
Villarreal have their second with 49 minutes on the clock as Dos Santos converts a low cross from Pereira. Granada simply had not started in the second 45 minutes and they have been punished. Villarreal are heading for third position in the table.
Villarreal boss Marcelino is not on the bench to enjoy this particular performance after picking up a suspension, but he is in the stands this evening. The attendance has been confirmed at just over 15,000, but the noise inside the stadium is that of triple the attendance. The home side are in control with 53 minutes on the clock.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Buonanotte finds a pocket of space outside the box before attempting to curl an effort towards the bottom corner, but it was always moving wide of the post. It would not be a surprise to see Lucas Alcaraz look to his bench in the next five minutes or so. As it stands, there is only going to be one winner.
Dos Santos continues to look the most threatening for the home side as he dances into the box before finding Pina, but the Spaniard is challenged by Angulo at the final moment. Indeed there is movement on the Granada bench with Ighalo and Riki on the verge of joining the action, which is not much of a surprise.
The double change is made as Ighalo and Riki enter in place of El-Arabi and Brahimi, who have both struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Still more than 30 minutes for Granada to turn this one around. Safe to say that the two players exiting are not too pleased with the decision by their manager.
Riki's first involvement is a positive one as the Granada forward, formerly of Deportivo La Coruna, meets a through pass from Iturra, but his effort is into the side netting. The other sub Ighalo has a similar chance moments later, but his effort is also wide of the post. Good response from the away side in the last couple of minutes.
There is some movement on the Villarreal bench, which is not much of a surprise with Granada starting to pull themselves back into the match. The next goal - if we indeed have one - could be crucial. Granada are enjoying their best spell of the match, but they are finding it difficult to force the issue in the final third. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining.
Villarreal do indeed make their first change of the match as Moi Gomez, who is a highly-rated youngster, enters for Aquino, who had been struggling with an injury in the last five minutes or so. Gomez is immediately involved down the left as he drives a low cross into the box, but Roberto is on hand to collect the danger.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments as Dos Santos turns just wide of the post for Villarreal before Iturra fires high and wide of the crossbar down the other end. Villarreal have a free kick in a wide area moments later as Angulo handles, but Murillo is on hand to clear the danger. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining.
Another half-chance for the home side as Angulo finds some space down the left before whipping a cross into the box, but Dorado is on hand to make the clearance. Villarreal look to their bench for the second time this evening moments later as Jeremy Perbet replaces Pereira, who has been on the fringes of things in the last 10 minutes or so.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last few moments with both sides guilty of losing possession too readily in the final third. Granada play their final hand moments later as Pereira is replaced by Foulquier, who, as mentioned at the interval, impressed on his home debut against Bilbao last week.
Half-chance for the home side as Dos Santos dances past two challenges before setting it wide to Cani, but his cross is short of the required quality. The midfielder has been sensational this season, but it has not quite been his night thus far. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining with Villarreal's two-goal lead still standing.
Villarreal have certainly taken the sting out of the match in the last few moments with the home side enjoying possession of the ball, which is frustrating Granada and forcing the home side to give away a number of free kicks. Dos Santos remains the main threat for the home side, but his final ball has not been there in the last couple of minutes. Comfortable for Villarreal with 78 minutes on the clock.
Bar a late turnaround, Villarreal are heading for third position in the table, moving above Real Madrid in the process, albeit having played one game more. Villarreal boss Marcelino, who is serving a suspension in the stands, is on the phone to the bench with 10 minutes remaining. The Yellow Submarine still have one permitted substitution.
Buonanotte wins a free kick for Granada outside the box. The resulting set piece is delivered into the area by Iturra, but Riki cannot make proper contact under pressure from Mario. In truth, not too much has happened in terms of chances in the latter stages of the second period. Little over five minutes of football remaining.
GOAL! Villarreal 3-0 Granada (Pina)
Villarreal score their third of the match as Pina heads home from close range. No surprise that the assist came from Cani. That proves to be Pina's last involvement as Trigueros enters proceedings. It is a comprehensive three points for Villarreal as it stands.
Cani attempts to add number four as he strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Villarreal have struggled for invention in the second period, but are leading 3-0, which says a lot about them as a team.
Wonderful noise inside the stadium as the home side move closer to their fifth win of the season. Granada are not helping themselves as they continue to concede free kicks, but the referee has been sensitive to the occasion this evening. Little over two minutes of normal time remaining in the Camp El Madrigal.
His teammates might be playing for time, but Dos Santos wants number four. The Villarreal striker weaves past two defenders before attempting to curl an effort towards the bottom corner, but it moves wide of the post. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of football.
In fairness to Granada, they have not stopped in the latter stages with Riki and Ighalo both coming close to opening their tally from inside the box. However, it just has not been their evening. Villarreal are heading for third position in the table.
FULL TIME: Villarreal 3-0 Granada
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to an end with Villarreal claiming all three points with a 3-0 win. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Malaga against Osasuna. Until then!
