Villarreal took on Elche in the latest La Liga match-up in the hopes to keep Emery’s streak alive but without the support of key players in the squad, the lower-ranked Elche ended up winning all three points with a 1-0 win. The battle between the two teams stayed in midfield as Villarreal seemed weak, without Manu Trigueros and the duo of Capoue and Parejo could not keep Elche at bay.
The match seemed uneventful, until the 78th minute when Lucas Boye shrugged off four defenders and shot towards the goal. Rulli could just manage a single touch but could not keep the sheet clean. Two minutes later, Villarreal launched their own fight, but Mario Gaspar’s curler could not find the back of the net, and Pino’s header was deflected as well expertly.