Unai Emery's team couldn't afford another slip-up in this tight chase for the top four, especially at home. The first half was devoid of chances, with both teams unable to create opportunities in the final third. Villarreal has had problems with Arnaut Danjuma playing centrally recently, and that was the case here as well. Celta's first decent chance came when Brais Mendez shot wide with a clear sight of the goal.
Villarreal, on the other hand, dominated the second half and appeared to be far more threatening. Soon after Mendez's mistake, Danjuma skied a close-range chance, and the Yellows continued to pose a threat, with Samu Chukwueze, in particular, looking sharp.
In midfield, Manu Trigueros stood out, and he would make his mark on the game with a beautiful assist that gave Villarreal the lead. Trigueros performed a backheel in the area in the 64th minute, after a fine Danjuma move, to work the ball to Dani Parejo, to aim.