Atletico Madrid took their 10-game unbeaten La Liga run to struggling Villarreal on Wednesday.
Both sides had chances in the first 45 minutes, but neither could make the breakthrough.
The second period also brought few opportunities, but Fernando Torres's 74th-minute goal secured all the points for Atletico as Villarreal failed to win for a 10th successive game.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from El Madrigal and it is a very attractive match indeed as Villarreal welcome Atletico Madrid. The Yellow Submarine are on a horrid run of form, but the same cannot be said for Atletico, who are now almost certain of a place in the top four.
In truth, it has been a terrible couple of months for Villarreal, with elimination from the Europa League and Copa del Rey coupled with a poor run of form in the league. They have not recorded a single win in any competition since beating Celta Vigo 4-1 on March 8 and since then, they have lost four and drawn five of their nine games. It has tuned what was a solid campaign, a little sour.
Villarreal are still sixth in the table, however, and will finish in that position, bar a total collapse in their final five games. They have drawn their last three in the league – including back-to-back stalemates against Cordoba and Real Sociedad, but they are six points ahead of seventh-place Malaga.
Atletico, meanwhile, are not in the title race at this stage of the season, but they are now unbeaten in their last 10 in the league, with Saturday's 3-0 win over Elche strengthening their grip on third position. As it stands, they are four points clear of fourth-place Valencia and six clear of Sevilla.
Atletico have once again been very strong on home turf this season - winning 14 of their 17 league games and losing just once. However, they have dropped points in eight of their 16 away league games this term, which has seen them fail to match Barcelona and Real Madrid, who have both pulled clear.
TEAMS:
VILLARREAL: Asenjo; Mario, Bailly, Ruiz, Jokic; Rukavina, Pina, Manu, Costa; Campbell, Moreno
ATLETICO: Oblak; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Gamez; Koke, Tiago, Gabi; Turan, Griezmann, Mandzukic
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the home side get things underway here.
CHANCE! Super chance for the home side to break the deadlock as Campbell races into the Atletico box before trying his luck, but Oblak makes the save. Still no goal on his return!
Not too much from Atletico in the opening four minutes, but Villarreal are threatening down the other end. In truth, the home side have been crippled by injuries, but they have started this game on the front foot. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital.
Villarreal remain on the front foot as Mario drives down the right, but Godin is across to make a super challenge. It is all one-way traffic at the moment as the hosts continue to threaten here.
Just a reminder that Villarreal are without a win in their last nine games in all competitions, but Atletico are unbeaten in their last 10. The form book says away win, but Villarreal have started well.
Not too much in terms of clear chances for Villarreal as they again deliver from a wide area and Oblak claims above Campbell. Atletico have not featured in the final third at all at El Madrigal.
There is not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, which is not all that surprising when considering Villarreal's recent form. Atletico have just started to make their mark with a couple of crosses, before Gabi has an effort deflected into the arms of the Villarreal stopper.
PENALTY SHOUT! Big penalty shout for Atletico as Griezmann goes down inside the box under a challenge from Jokic, but the referee says nothing doing. Looked a clear spot kick for me!
SAVE! Griezmann is involved once again as he drives into the Villarreal box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Asenjo is on hand to make a smart save. Pressure here.
Slowly but surely, Atletico are working their way into this game, with Griezmann and Mandzukic both seeing possession of the ball. It remains goalless, however, with 17 minutes on the clock here.
Half-chance for the home side as Campbell turns outside the box before firing one towards the bottom corner, but Oblak is across to make the save. From the resulting corner, the referee blows for a foul inside the area. Still goalless with 20 minutes played, but it is developing into a good game.
CLOSE! Atletico come close to taking the lead as Turan meets a super cross from Gamez, but his header just angles over the crossbar. Asenjo had been beaten all ends up there!
Villarreal have just started to gain a foot-hold and Campbell is again involved in a wide position, but the forward's touch is a little strong and Koke is across to clear for yet another Villarreal corner.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes, while the referee has been forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. It has been quite a bitty game thus far.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Atletico to take the lead as Mandzukic sets up Koke inside the Villarreal box, but his low strike just flashes wide of the post. Still we wait for the first goal!
The lack of atmosphere inside the stadium is quite staggering - it is almost like a pre-season friendly. Atletico remain on top, but Villarreal are a threat when they counter with numbers.
Atletico are not best pleased with the referee at the moment as a late challenge on Mandzukic goes unpunished, before the home side win a free kick moments later. All a little scrappy at the moment.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for the home side to take the lead as Ruiz meets a super free kick from Trigueros, but Oblak is on hand to make a stunning save, before Godin clears off the line!
It must be said that the opening 38 minutes of this game have flown past, but we are still waiting for the first goal at El Madrigal. Both have had chances, but it is still all square in the first period here.
Just a reminder that Atletico are unbeaten in their last 10 in the league, but Villarreal have not recorded a single win in their last nine games in all competitions. Draw tonight anyone?!
BOOKING! Gabi (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Campbell.
Neither manager will be too disappointed with what has occurred in this first period, but it must be said that there is not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium. It is like a pre-season friendly.
HALF-TIME: Villarreal 0-0 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Both have had decent chances at El Madrigal, but neither has been able to find the back of the net.
STATS! Atletico have shaded the possession with 60%, while they have had five attempts - one of which has been on target. Villarreal, meanwhile, have hit the target with three of their six attempts. There has also been just the one yellow card despite some tasty challenges at El Madrigal.
BENCH WATCH! Villarreal's squad has been crippled with injuries in recent weeks, but head coach Marcelino does have some attacking options on his bench in the shape of Gomez and Alfonso. Atletico, meanwhile, have the likes of Raul Garcia, Saul Niguez and Fernando Torres in reserve.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a breakthrough at El Madrigal? Let's hope so! Atletico get the second 45 minutes underway here.
SUB! Villarreal have made one change at the break, with Moi Gomez replacing Rukavina.
It has been a decent start to the second period from Atletico, with Gabi and Griezmann combining in a wide area on a couple of occasions. The first goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive here.
Villarreal break into the final third through Campbell and then Costa, but both are ruled offside, which brings groans from the home supporters. Still goalless with 50 minutes on the clock.
Not too much to shout about in the last couple of minutes as both teams waste possession in the final third. It has been a really poor start to the second period if truth be told. We need some inspiration from somewhere and it is time for someone to step forward. Who wants to grab this game?
Half-chance for the home side as Pina meets a loose ball outside the Atletico box, but his effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Ironic cheers from the crowd, which sums the game up.
BOOKING! Gamez (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Campbell.
Little over 30 minutes of this clash remaining and we are still waiting for the first goal. Turan breaks down the left for Atletico, but his cross is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Poor again.
Koke has the chance to deliver a free kick, but he fires straight into the arms of Asenjo, which sums up this second period. Torres and Saul are both preparing to enter for the visitors here...
Half-chance for Atletico as Gamez floats a super cross onto the head of Griezmann, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. The away side are looking the most likely at the moment.
... SUBS! Atletico make a double change as Torres and Saul replace Turan and Mandzukic.
Half-chance for the away side as Saul collects a loose ball outside the box before firing one towards goal, but his effort was always moving over the crossbar. Nothing from Villarreal at the moment.
Sometimes you get games that are, well, not great. This is one of them. The first period produced a few chances, but it has been terrible since the interval. No tempo whatsoever to this match!
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and Atletico are on the front foot, without really threatening to make the breakthrough. Villarreal have a couple of players warming up now.
SUB! Atletico make their third change as Garcia replaces Gabi.
Half-chance for the home side as Mario breaks to the edge of the box before trying his luck, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. That is about as close as Villarreal have come!
Better from Villarreal in the last couple of minutes and another half-chance arrives when Moreno's bright run eventually presents a shooting opportunity for Gomez, but his effort is deflected wide.
GOAL! Villarreal 0-1 Atletico (Torres)
Finally we have a breakthrough! Atletico take the lead with 74 minutes on the clock as Torres takes advantage of a terrible mistake from Bailly to eventually round Asenjo and finish into the back of the net. Bailly just did not deal with a bouncing ball and Torres nipped in to score a vital goal at this stage.
Can Villarreal respond here? They have struggled to create in this second period and Atletico are so strong defending a lead. Little over 10 minutes remaining and Torres is the difference here.
BOOKING! Oblak (Atletico) is booked for time-wasting.
Villarreal just are not creating at the moment. You cannot see a goal coming...
... I thought I might have cursed it. Well I still might have done, but Atletico are so comfortable at the moment. As it stands, Villarreal's winless run will stretch to 10 games in all competitions.
CHANCE! Griezmann has a wonderful chance to score a second for Atletico as he breaks through on goal, but the Frenchman's effort is straight at Asenjo, who clears behind for a corner.
There is real concern over Villarreal goalkeeper Asenjo, who is in tears here. The Spaniard's ankle seemed to turn the wrong way and it looks terrible. Let us hope that is not as serious as it looks.
Asenjo is back on his feet - thank goodness for that. He is limping off, but he is standing.
SUBS! Villarreal make two changes as Carlos and Sol replace Asenjo and Moreno.
In truth, Atletico are comfortable as we approach the final moments here. There is nothing happening in the Villarreal attack, which has been the case for much of this second period.
BOOKING! Miranda (Atletico) is booked for time-wasting.
I should not think that there will be too much added time at El Madrigal. Campbell is the one player attempting to get things going for Villarreal, but they are running out of time in this game.
BOOKING! Juanfran (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Costa.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes - quite surprising.
Atletico have just regained control of the possession in the last couple of minutes and in truth, there has been no serious reaction from Villarreal. They are not exactly forcing the issue here.
CHANCE! Finally a chance of note for the home side as Mario meets a low cross from Jokic, but the skipper's effort is high of the crossbar. Should have done a lot better from that position!
CLOSE! Costa now has one deflected just wide for Villarreal as the home side press!
FULL-TIME: Villarreal 0-1 Atletico
So there we have it. Torres's strike proves the difference at El Madrigal as Atletico take control of third position in La Liga. Villarreal remain sixth, but they are now 10 games without a win in all competitions. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
