Almeria welcomed Villarreal in Sunday's early start knowing that three points against the top-four chasers would move them out of the bottom three in the La Liga table.
Both sides had opportunities in an end-to-end first period, but the major piece of action came late in the half when Almeria defender Mauro dos Santos was sent off for a last-man challenge on Giovani dos Santos.
Villarreal were also reduced to 10 men early in the second period, however, when Jaume Costa collected his second yellow card for a rash challenge on Wellington Silva.
Both teams had golden chances in the second 45 minutes, but neither could break the deadlock as the entertaining affair finished goalless.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos as Almeria welcome Villarreal. A poor run of form has dropped Almeria into the bottom three, while Villarreal still have an outside shot of a top-four finish this term. Let's hope for a cracker from Spain!
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS
ALMERIA: Julian; Dubarbier, Trujillo, Dos Santos, Michel; Partey, Verza; Bifouma, Corona, Silva; Hemed
VILLARREAL: Asenjo; Rukavina, Bailly, Dorado, Costa; Pina, Marcos, Gomez; Campbell, Gerard, Giovani
So there we have it. Almeria boss Juan Ignacio Martinez has brought on-loan Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey into his XI, with the 21-year-old starting ahead of Fernando Soriano. Edgar Mendez remains on the bench, meanwhile, leaving Wellington Silva and Thievy Bifouma to support Tomer Hemed. There is also a spot in the team for Corona, who will operate in an advanced midfield area.
Villarreal boss Marcelino, meanwhile, has shuffled his pack once again, with Mario Gaspar, Mateo Musacchio, Jonathan dos Santos, Luciano Vietto and Denis Cheryshev among those dropping out. There are spots in attack for Gerard Moreno and Joel Campbell, while Antonio Rukavina and Chechu Dorado get rare chances to impress in Marcelino's back four. It really is a much-changed XI for the visitors.
Villarreal are unbeaten in five league meetings with Almeria – winning four times in the process and keeping four clean sheets. The Yellow Submarine were also 3-2 winners in this stadium last season, but that was their first victory at Almeria in the league in five attempts. Earlier this season, it was Villarreal that emerged 2-0 victors in the reserve match at El Madrigal. Who will triumph this afternoon?
Back-to-back wins at the start of last month moved Almeria out of the relegation zone, but a run of four games without a win has dropped the club back into the bottom three. Last weekend's 1-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Elche has left them in 18th, but they are just one point behind 17th-place Levante.
Almeria's home form, however, remains their Achilles heel. They have won just one of their 12 home league games this season – collecting just eight points in the process, which is the worst record in the division. Incredibly, they have won five times on the road, however, which is the same number as top-three challengers Valencia and indeed more than their opponents this afternoon. Mystery!
Villarreal, meanwhile, remain sixth. They have won 14 of their 26 league games this season, losing just six times in the process. As it stands, they are one point behind fifth-place Sevilla and seven behind fourth-place Atletico Madrid. The Yellow Submarine, however, will enter the match off the back of a 3-1 home defeat to Sevilla in the first leg of their last-16 clash in the Europa League on Thursday.
Since losing to Rayo Vallecano on February 15, Villarreal have picked up seven points from three matches. Last weekend, they thumped Celta Vigo 4-1 at El Madrigal to continue their strong home form, which stands at 10 wins from 13 matches. On the road, they have only lost three from 13, but it has been a story of too many draws, with Marcelino's side winning only four on their travels.
PREDICTION! I think that the two teams will share the spoils here. On paper, Villarreal are the favourites, but I just have a feeling that the hosts will take something. My score prediction is 1-1.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Not a full house inside the stadium, but there is still a good atmosphere as the away side get the first 45 minutes underway.
In the absence of Mario Gaspar, Jaume Costa skippers Villarreal this afternoon, while Corona, as expected, has the armband for the hosts. It must be said that it is a beautiful early afternoon in Almeria and the pitch is in excellent condition. The scene is set for an open and entertaining game of football.
Half-chance for the home side early on as Dubarbier races down the right before delivering a dangerous cross towards Hemed, but Rukavina manages to chest into the arms of his own goalkeeper.
Almeria's bright start continues as Thievy forces a corner from Rukavina, but the resulting set piece is claimed by Asenjo, who releases Giovani down field. It has been an end-to-end opening five minutes.
There are plenty of challenges occurring in the middle of the park, but the referee is doing a good job of letting this one flow, which is creating a good tempo. Villarreal break down the left with Moreno, who slides a pass into Giovani, but his low effort is deflected wide of Julian's post for a corner.
Corona attempts to slide a pass into Wellington Silva as Almeria break in the final third once again, but the Brazilian had just moved too soon and the offside flag is raised. Still goalless in Almeria.
Another half-chance for the home side as Thievy meets a near-post corner from Corona, but his effort was always trickling wide of the post. There has not been too much in the final third from Villarreal thus far, with the majority of the pressure coming from Almeria. It has been a bright 11 minutes here.
Almeria continue to force the issue in the final third, with Dubarbier delivering another dangerous cross towards the powerful Hemed, but Asenjo is on hand to collect. Villarreal just haven't started here.
BOOKING! Rukavina (Villarreal) is booked for a poor challenge on Silva.
The resulting free kick is delivered by Corona, but Villarreal clear following a clash of bodies.
It is Villarreal's turn to force a free kick in a dangerous area as Dubarbier fells Giovani...
... CLOSE! Giovani strikes the set piece, but it drops just wide of the post. Excellent effort from the Mexican and that is quite comfortably the closest either side have come to breaking the deadlock.
Another half-chance for Villarreal as Costa delivers a dangerous cross towards Moreno, but Dos Santos just does enough to put off the striker and Julian is on hand to claim. Still goalless in this one.
CHANCE! A super cross from Silva causes concern inside the Villarreal box, but Hemed's header is deflected wide of the post. The pressure continues from the resulting corner, but the visitors survive.
BOOKING! Dorado (Villarreal) is booked for a poor challenge on Silva.
There have not been too many chances thus far, but it is an incredibly open match as both sides continue to commit players in the final third. I would be astounded if this one finished goalless!
CHANCE! How are Almeria not ahead! A scramble inside the Villarreal box leads to Thievy picking up the ball just in front of goal, but the forward takes too long and Asenjo is down to collect. Wow!
Half-chance for Villarreal this time as Moreno finds space outside the Almeria box, but his effort is straight into the arms of the waiting Julian. Still goalless with 27 minutes on the clock here.
CHANCE! A poor mistake from Trujillo presents Giovani with the chance to advance into the Almeria box, but the Mexican's effort is deflected wide for a corner. That was a real opening for the forward.
Villarreal have just started to dominate proceedings in the last couple of minutes, with Almeria forced to retreat following a period of extended pressure. Giovani forces another free kick outside the box, but it is played short and the danger is cleared. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining here.
Thievy's pace continues to cause Villarreal problems as the forward runs away from two defenders, but Rukavina is across to clear for a corner, which is played short before being hacked down-field.
BOOKING! Corona (Almeria) is booked for pulling Pina to the ground.
Moreno is working extremely hard in the final third at the moment, with the Villarreal forward prepared to run the lines, which is creating space in the middle of the park. Marcos attempts to force a cross into the Almeria box, but the danger is cleared and the home side break with speed once again.
BOOKING! Costa (Villarreal) is booked for pulling Silva to the ground.
Half-chance for the home side as Thievy attempts the spectacular from a wide angle, but his volley is blocked by Asenjo, who got down well to make the save. Still goalless with 39 minutes played.
RED CARD! MAURO DOS SANTOS! Almeria are reduced to 10 men five minutes before the interval as Mauro dos Santos hacks Giovani to the ground when the Villarreal forward was through on goal!
In truth, that was not a difficult decision for the referee. Giovani was away and Mauro dos Santos simply hacked the Mexican to the ground. What will occur from the resulting free kick...
... Giovani strikes the set piece straight into the wall. Poor.
CHANCE! Villarreal come close to breaking the deadlock as Campbell fires one towards the top corner, but Julian is across to make the save. It is all one-way traffic at the moment!
HALF-TIME: Almeria 0-0 Villarreal
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two sides level at 0-0. Both teams have had opportunities to open the scoring, but the major piece of action occurred late in the half when Almeria defender Mauro dos Santos was sent off for a last-man challenge on Giovani.
STATS! Villarreal have shaded the possession with 55%, while they have had 10 attempts - three of which have been on target. Almeria, meanwhile, have hit the target with just one of their six attempts. In addition to the red for Mauro dos Santos, there have been five yellows in the first 45 minutes.
BENCH WATCH! I suspect that Almeria boss Martinez might look to make a defensive change at the break following that red card to Mauro dos Santos. However, the Spaniard also has attacking options in the shape of Soriano, Mendez and Zongo. Villarreal, meanwhile, have plenty of options in reserve, with the likes of Cheryshev, Jonathan dos Santos, Uche and Vietto all capable of making a difference.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can 10-man Almeria find a way of stopping Villarreal here? It is the home side that get the second half underway here.
SUB! Almeria have made one change at the break, with Fran Velez entering the match in place of Thievy, which is not much of a surprise following that red card for the hosts late in the half.
It has been a bright start to the half from Villarreal, with Costa coming close to meeting a chipped pass from Pina. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital here.
Another half-chance for the away side as Giovani finds space in a wide area, but his effort is straight into the arms of Julian. Almeria are straight down the other end moments later, with Dubarbier carrying the threat down the left, but his cross is collected by Asenjo, who has had little to do thus far.
CHANCE! Almeria come close to breaking the deadlock as Silva delivers a wicked cross from the right, but Hemed cannot make contact under pressure from two defenders. Should have been the opener!
Giovani goes down inside the Almeria box, but the referee is not interested and play continues. Moments later, Gomez and Moreno both have attempts inside the box, but the hosts manage to make a couple of important blocks. The home supporters are attempting to raise Almeria at the moment.
BOOKING! Moreno (Villarreal) is booked for a poor challenge on Silva.
RED CARD! JAUME COSTA! Villarreal are now also reduced to 10 men as Jaume Costa picks up his second yellow card for a rash challenge on Silva. What on earth was he thinking!
Well, it is now 10 against 10 for the final 30 minutes here. Terrible discipline from Costa there. Villarreal were just about to introduce Vietto and Cheryshev, but they have both now sat back down.
Villarreal boss Marcelino is still furious on the touchline. He was about to make a couple of attacking changes, but that stupid challenge from Costa has meant that Vietto and Cheryshev will remain on the bench, for now anyway. You just get the feeling that there is a winner in this game somewhere.
SUB! Villarreal make their first change as Vietto replaces Giovani.
CHANCE! OH MY WORD! One of the misses of the season! Almeria have a golden chance to take the lead as Michel drives down the right before feeding a low cross into Hemed - Asenjo saves the striker's first effort, but Hemed then fires high and wide from barely five yards. Incredible miss!
SUB! Villarreal make their second change as Cheryshev replaces Gomez.
BOOKING! Velez (Almeria) is booked for a poor challenge on Moreno.
Villarreal have the chance to threaten from a free kick, but Vietto's effort is straight into the wall. Moments later, Rukavina delivers a dangerous cross from the right, but Trujillo just does enough.
SUB! Villarreal make their third and final change as Mario replaces Campbell.
SUB! Almeria make their second change as Mendez replaces Corona.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and the score is still 0-0 in Almeria. Both sides have 10 men, but neither is really in control at the moment. Surely one goal wins it at this stage.
Both sides have enjoyed spells of possession in the second period and it is Almeria that are currently on top with 72 minutes on the clock. Again Dubarbier is down the left, but his cross is straight into the face of Mario, who takes a couple of moments to recover. Still no goals, but the signs are positive here.
Silva has been very impressive for Almeria this afternoon, with the Brazilian prepared to work at both ends of the field, which has been appreciated by the home supporters. You just get the feeling that a moment of magic or a mistake will decide this match and there is still plenty of time for that to occur.
Half-chance for Villarreal as Vietto finds a pocket of space outside the box, but his effort was always straight into the arms of Julian, who has not had too much to do in the second 45 minutes.
CHANCE! Oh my word what a chance for Villarreal! Cheryshev does brilliantly to drive down the left before squaring for Pina, but somehow the midfielder fires wide of the post. Incredible miss!
Little over 10 minutes of football remaining and the score is still 0-0. I am not quite sure how though, with both teams having golden chances in this half. I still fancy there to be a late winner in this one.
SUB! Almeria make their third and final change as Dubarbier is replaced by Casado.
The referee has been busier than he would have liked in the last couple of minutes following a number of late challenges, which has just interrupted the flow of the match. Villarreal are pressing here...
... CHANCE! Again it is Pina that arrives in the Almeria box, but the midfielder's header is straight into the arms of Julian. The Spaniard has had a couple of golden chances this half!
BOOKING! Pina (Villarreal) is booked for a poor challenge on Verza.
Little over two minutes of normal time remaining and Villarreal are the team pushing for a winner. Cheryshev again drives down the left, but the Russian loses his footing before firing just wide.
CHANCE! Golden chance for Almeria on the counter as Hemed leads a two-on-one situation, but the striker picks the wrong pass and Villarreal manage to clear. Time is running out for a winner.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes here.
Almeria are the team pressing as we approach the final whistle, but their choice of final pass is again disappointing and Villarreal manage to clear down-field. Time is running out in Almeria here.
Half-chance for Villarreal as Moreno drives past two defenders before flashing one towards the bottom corner, but Julian is down to make the save, before releasing Hemed down the other end.
FULL-TIME: Almeria 0-0 Villarreal
And that is that! The referee brings the second period to a close with the match finishing goalless. It was an open and entertaining affair, but neither could find the back of the net. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
