Rayo Vallecano 0 : 2 Villarreal - Rare road win for Villarreal

Posted Sunday, March 25, 2012 by PA

Villarreal won for only the second time on the road this season on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano which moved them six points clear of the relegation zone.

Marco Ruben headed the visitors in front on 29 minutes after Cani's initial effort had come off the underside of the bar.

The Argentinian striker had a penalty brilliantly saved by Joel nine minutes into the second half, but despite some late pressure from Rayo, Angel Lopez wrapped up the three points with a composed finish five minutes from time.

Rayo had scored 15 goals in their previous six games but lacked that spark in front of goal as Diego Costa blazed over with their best effort of the first half on 15 minutes.

At the other end, Nilmar's pace was causing the hosts' defence problems, but it was from a set-piece that the Brazilian should have given Villarreal the lead as he headed over after Joel had saved Borja Valero's free-kick.

Five minutes later Rayo gifted the visitors the lead as they were caught in possession by Borja and even after Cani wasted a three-on-one with Joel by clipping the bar, the ball dropped kindly for Ruben to head home.

Jose Ramon Sandoval made two attacking substitutions as he brought on Lass Bangoura and Raul Tamudo at half-time, but after a bright start to the second period the home side handed Villarreal another gift as a slack pass from Michu allowed Ruben to pick up possession inside the area and he was brought down by Alejandro Arribas.

Ruben struck the spot-kick powerfully to the keeper's right, but Joel got down well to save.

Emiliano Armenteros had Rayo's best chance to equalise when he headed straight at Diego Lopez with 20 minutes remaining, whilst Arribas also had a good shooting opportunity inside the area but his shot was so wayward it did not even go out of play for a throw-in.

Villarreal eventually made sure of the points with a nice move on 85 minutes as Alejandro Martinuccio set up Angel on the right side of the penalty area and his low shot beat Joel at his near post.