Osasuna welcomed Villarreal to the El Sadar on Saturday hoping to pick up their first points of the league season.
It was the away side that took the lead, however, with Jeremy Perbet finishing from close range after 22 minutes, before Javier Aquino made it 2-0 eight minutes later.
Both sides had chances in the second period, but it was Villarreal that secured their third win of the season - moving top in the process - with a late strike from Ikechukwu Uche.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from the El Sadar as Osasuna welcome Villarreal. The home side are yet to record a point this season after suffering defeats to Granada and Athletic Bilbao. However, Villarreal have recorded wins over Almeria and Real Valladolid thus far.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Osasuna have won three of the last five, with Villarreal picking up one win during that period. As mentioned, Osasuna were 2-1 winners the last time the two sides met in this stadium in December 2011, but the reverse fixture ended in a 1-1 draw in April 2012.
It is early days, but there is a general feeling that Osasuna could struggle to remain in the league this season. Villarreal, however, who returned to the top flight this season, have been extremely impressive in the opening weeks of the season. Based on what they have shown thus far, a top-half finish could be on the cards.
TEAMS:
OSASUNA: Fernandez; Oier, Arribas, Loties, Joan Oriol; De las Cuevas, Punal, Silva, Sisi; Armenteros, Oriol Riera
VILLARREAL: Asenjo; Mario, Musacchio, Dorado, Jaume Costa; Bruno, Trigueros, Cani, Aquino; Pereira, Perbet
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Osasuna XI this evening with Oriol Riera and Sisi both keeping their spots in the side. Giovani dos Santos is not fit enough to start for Villarreal, however, meaning that Jeremy Perbet leads the line alongside Jonathan Pereira. Right, the away side get the action underway at the El Sadar.
Really bright start from the home side as Silva collects possession in a wide position before drifting a dangerous cross into the box, but Armenteros is just eased out of it by Mario, who has enjoyed a fine start to the season. It must be said that the atmosphere is just jumping inside the stadium this evening.
Not many would have predicted that Villarreal would pick up six points from their first two games, but they have been very impressive thus far. They will concede plenty this season, but they have the ability to cause teams problems in attack. However, they have not had much of a sniff in the opening four minutes here with Osasuna dominating possession of the ball.
Osasuna continue to force the issue in the wide areas with Sisi and Silva both testing the Villarreal defence with deep crosses into the box. A free kick arrives for the home side moments later, but Dorado manages to block following a strike from Sisi. Explosive opening six minutes at the El Sadar, with Villarreal weathering the storm.
First sign of the away side as an attacking threat as Aquino collects possession down the left before driving a low cross into the box, but Oier clears for a corner. The resulting set piece is delivered by Cani, but it is straight into the arms of Andres Fernandez. The early signs are that we will have plenty of goals this evening.
Half-chance for Armenteros as the Argentine collects possession outside the box before thumping an effort towards the top corner, but it was always rising high and wide of the target. Villarreal are down the other end with Pereira moments later, but the Spaniard is crowded out by a number of red shirts inside the box.
CHANCE! The best opportunity of the match comes to the home side as Riera meets a cross from Silva, but the Spaniard can only plant his header over the crossbar when he might have done better. In keeping with the end-to-end period of the match, Cani fires one wide for Villarreal moments later. Still goalless with 13 minutes on the clock at the El Sadar.
Villarreal have just started to find their feet in the last couple of moments with Cani and Bruno starting to see more of the ball in the middle of midfield. That said, a loose pass from the latter does allow Sisi to have an effort on goal, but it was always comfortable for Asenjo, who joined the club on loan from Atletico Madrid in the summer.
Penalty shout for the away side as Bruno takes a tumble in the box, but the referee is not interested. Replays have shown that it was indeed the correct decision. Osasuna launch an immediate counter down the other end with Riera, but his deep cross is cleared by Mario. Plenty of attacking invention from both sides in the opening 17 minutes.
Half-chance for Perbet as the Villarreal striker beats the offside trap before advancing into the box, instead of look towards goal, the Frenchman attempts to find Pereira, when the pass would have been the better option. Villarreal are starting to look slick in the final third, while Osasuna's final pass has been lacking thus far.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Sisi meets a loose ball inside the box, but the Spaniard's header is comfortable for Asenjo, who has been the busier of the two goalkeepers thus far. It must be said that the atmosphere is simply wonderful inside the stadium this evening with the home supporters making their voices heard. It has been an entertaining 22 minutes of football.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the away side to take the lead as Pereira drives into the box before rounding the goalkeeper, but his effort is neither here nor there as it rolls along the goal-line. I am not sure whether it was a shot or a cross, but either way it did not find the back of the net. On second look, Perbet should have been gambling at the far post.
GOAL! Osasuna 0-1 Villarreal (Perbet)
The away side's disappointment turns to relief as Perbet collects a low cross from Pereira before converting from close range. It was poor defending from Oier, but the Frenchman must be credited for his smart finish. First blood to Villarreal.
Osasuna have the ball in the back of the net as Riera converts from close range, but the whistle had already been blown for a foul on Asenjo. It does not look too clever for the Villarreal goalkeeper, who was really caught in the high challenge. That said, it does appear he will be fit to continue.
The away side continue to force the issue in the final third with the pace and running of Pereira causing all sorts of problems. Another half-chance arrives as Cani delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but the whistle is blown for a free kick. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining at the El Sadar.
Osasuna just cannot get out of their own half at the moment with floods of yellow shirts in the middle of the park. Should Villarreal pick up the victory this evening, they would move onto nine points for the season and indeed move top of the table. What an incredible moment that would be on their return to the top flight.
GOAL! Osasuna 0-2 Villarreal (Aquino)
Villarreal have their second of the evening with 30 minutes on the clock as Aquino turns inside the box before chipping his effort into an empty net. Again, it is really poor defending from Osasuna, who have struggled to cope with the pace and movement of the yellow shirts.
It is difficult not to be impressed by this performance from the away side. It took them 10 minutes or so to find their feet, but they have been the better side since that moment. Even without Giovani, who is on the bench, they have so much invention and movement in the final third. Osasuna have thus far had no answer.
Good pressure from Osasuna in the last couple of moments with Silva and De las Cuevas seeing more of the ball, but they cannot find that elusive pass in the final third. Riera is in trouble moments later for a high challenge on Asenjo, but the referee does not look to his pocket. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining at the El Sadar.
The home side's period in possession does not last for long as Perbet has another attempt from distance, but it just moves wide of the post. When Villarreal break, they have about five yellow shirts on the scene. Of course, it is leaving gaps in their defence, but Osasuna have been unable to capitalise thus far.
Villarreal break with pace once more as Pereira collects a through pass from Bruno before driving into the box, but this time Oier is across to make the challenge. Osasuna have possession down the other end moments later with Riera, but Asenjo is quick off his line to clear. End-to-end last couple of minutes.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with both sides guilty of losing possession in the opposing half. Osasuna have upped the tempo, but Asenjo continues to deal with each cross into the box. Little over two minutes of the first period remaining, with Villarreal leading 2-0 on the night.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for the away side as Cani finds some space down the right before driving a low cross into the box, but Loties is across to make the challenge, before the Frenchman gestures to his teammates that he wants more from them. I shouldn't think there will be too much added time at the end of the half.
HALF TIME: Osasuna 0-2 Villarreal
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Villarreal leading 2-0 courtesy of strikes from Perbet and Aquino. There has not been too much between the two sides in general play, but the away side have been devastating on the counter in the opening 45 minutes.
STATISTICS: Osasuna have had 56% of the ball, but they have had three attempts to Villarreal's four. The home side only have themselves to blame for the two goals that they conceded. Both were good finishes, but they were avoidable there is no question about that. It is difficult to imagine Osasuna coming back from this position.
BENCH WATCH: Osasuna do have attacking options on the bench in the shape of Loe and Nunez, but you wonder where the goals are going to come from. Villarreal, however, have a number of game-changers on their bench with the likes of Giovani, Uche and Perez in reserve.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. There have been no changes for either side at the interval, but I suspect that will change as the second period advances. Right, Osasuna get the action underway on this early Monday morning in Pamplona.
You just get the feeling that Osasuna need to score early if they are to have a chance of getting back into this game. As far as I am concerned, another goal for Villarreal and this one is over. Osasuna struggled for goals last season and that has continued into the new campaign. We will find out a lot about their character in this second 45 minutes.
Not the best defending from the away side as Dorado slices his clearance towards Silva, but the Osasuna midfielder cannot capitalise on the danger. Riera is involved moments later as he drives towards the box, but Mario quells the danger. Bright start to the second period from Osasuna.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last few moments with both sides guilty of losing possession too easily in the midfield area. Costa takes matters into his own hands moments later by striking an effort from outside the box, but it was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Both sides look dangerous on the counter with 52 minutes on the clock.
Slight sense of frustration from the home supporters as another attack breaks down in the final third. The attendance has been confirmed at little over 12,000. It holds just short of 20,000. Another half-chance arrives for Villarreal moments later as Pereira drives into the box, but Oier is across to clear at the vital moment.
Another half-chance for the away side as Bruno meets a corner from Cani, but he can only plant his header high and wide of the crossbar. Villarreal force another opportunity on the counter moments later, but this time Aquino's cross is into the arms of Fernandez. End-to-end football with little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
Good pressure from Osasuna in the last couple of moments with the home side forcing successive corners, but the first is headed over his own crossbar by Cani, before De las Cuevas fires over from close range. That proves to be his last piece of action as Torres enters the field as his replacement.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the away side to put this game to bed as Cani drives into the box before attempting to find Perbet, but it just would not fall for the Frenchman, who had evaded Oier at the far post. Osasuna are down the other end moments later with Riera, but his cross is into the arms of Asenjo.
Desperate from the home side as they work the ball from left to right with Silva and Sisi both attempting to slide a pass towards Riera, but they just cannot find that pocket of space. Eventually Punal takes matters into his own hands, but his attempt it straight into the arms of Asenjo, who is in no rush. I suspect we could see a couple more changes in the next few moments.
Villarreal make their first change of the match as Giovani, who was not fit to start this evening, enters the field to replace Perbet, who opened the scoring in the first period with a smart finish. Not a bad change to make at this stage of the match. The Mexican is not fully-fit, but will provide energy and invention in the final third.
It's good work from Silva as the midfielder collects possession in a wide area before delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but Oier, who had stayed forward from a corner, cannot make contact. Time is running out for Osasuna, who are heading for their third successive defeat this season. But there is still time for them to turn it around.
Good possession for Osasuna in the last couple of moments, but they are struggling to find any sort of invention with the away side tight in defence. As it stands, Villarreal are heading for the top of the table, albeit having played a game more than the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Villarreal are attempting to interrupt the tempo as much as they can at the moment with the home side becoming more frustrated with each passing moment. The away side look to their bench for the second time moments later as Trigueros is replaced by Pina, who will just sit in the middle of their midfield.
Handbags between the two sets of players as the frustration continues to grow. The referee has dished out a couple of yellow cards, although it is difficult to see who has been carded. Moments later, the away side make their third and final change of the evening as Pereira is replaced by Uche. Little over 15 minutes of normal time remaining in this La Liga encounter.
GOAL! Osasuna 0-3 Villarreal (Uche)
Villarreal have their third of the evening as Giovani carries possession down the right before finding Uche, who slips home from close range. It was a devastating counter from the away side, who have once more been very impressive in the early stages of the new season.
It appears that Cani and Torres were the two players that received cards following that clash between the two sides. I would not be surprised to see the referee issue a red as the frustration continues to grow. The home supporters have started to make their way towards the exits, meanwhile, with little over 10 minutes remaining.
It appears that Osasuna made a change following the third goal with Nunez entering the field to replace Armenteros, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Villarreal are indeed heading for their third straight win of the season. I tipped them for a mid-table finish at the start of the campaign, but on this form they could be aiming higher.
Good pressure from Villarreal in the last few moments as the away side go in search of their fourth. Uche comes close to his second as he meets a cross from Giovani, but his header was always moving wide of the post. Osasuna just have nothing left, however, as the home side continue to struggle for any sort of invention.
It's possession football for Villarreal as we enter the final five minutes at the El Sadar. The away side are not finished as an attacking threat, however, with Giovani and Uche both threatening to add to the scores with long-range attempts. It has been a fabulous performance from the newly-promoted side.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with Villarreal comfortable in possession of the ball. What will this result do to Osasuna's season? They have been an established La Liga team for some time now, but they are in real danger this season. It has not helped that they lost their top scorer from last season Kike Sola to Athletic Bilbao in the summer.
CHANCE! Wonderful attempt from Loties as the Osasuna defender collects a pass from Silva before striking a powerful effort towards the top corner, but Asenjo is across to make a fine save. Decent end to the match for the home side, but it is a case of too little too late.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. In fairness to Osasuna, they have been the better side in the last few moments with a series of crosses into the box causing Villarreal some discomfort. However, Villarreal are indeed heading for the top of the table.
FULL TIME: Osasuna 0-3 Villarreal
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to a close with Villarreal claiming all three points courtesy of a comprehensive 3-0 win over Osasuna. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us from 10.30am tomorrow for Real Madrid against Athletic Bilbao. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
