Villarreal: Sergio Asenjo; Rukavina, Musacchio, Dorado, Jaume Costa; Joel Campbell (Cheryshev 61‘), Manu Trigueros (Jonathan Dos Santos 68‘), Bruno, Moi Gómez; Uche (Giovani 73‘), Gerard Moreno. 4-4-2.
Granada: Oier; Nyom, Babin, Mainz, Insúa; Rubén Pérez, Fran Rico; Robert Ibáñez (Candeias 46‘), Piti, Lass (Colunga 77’); Córdoba. 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 30. Musacchio. Got on the end of Moreno cross to turn ball in from near post.
2-0. 92. Gerard Moreno. Steered shot past Oier after Cheryshev crossed from left.
Yellow cards: Dorado 76’, Rubén Pérez 82’, Jonathan Dos Santos 87’.
Sixth placed Villarreal closed up on Valencia with a 2-0 win over Granada on Saturday evening. Marcelino held back key players for the midweek cup semi-final, but even so they dominated the early minutes, Insúa heading off the line from Moi Gómez and Oier turning an angled shot from Gerard Moreno round the post for a corner. Lass fired a long shot wide at the other end, but with half an hour gone Moreno picked up Bruno’s quick free kick and crossed in for Mainz to turn the ball into his own net (the referee awarding the goal to Musacchio, who may or may not have got a touch?). After the interval Oier had to be at his best to keep out Trigueros and Moreno, but Asenjo had to save from Fran Rico and Piti, and the result was in doubt until Moreno made it two after Bruno and Cheryshev set him up on a rapid breakaway right at the end. Another defeat for Abel Resino’s side however, and they ended the day down in next to bottom spot pending Sunday’s games.