VILLARREAL NEWS

Raul Albiol - Provides rare assist Albiol had an assist with his lone chance created while taking one shot, blocking a shot, making an interception and nine clearances during Friday's 3-1 win over Real Sociedad.

Impact Albiol set up Santi Comesana in the 17th minute assisting the opening goal of the match while leading Villarreal with nine clearances. The assist was Albiol's first goal involvement since scoring twice in the Europa League during the 2020-21 season.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Baena - Main creator for Villarreal Baena had an assist while crossing five times (three accurate) and creating two chances during Friday's 3-1 win over Real Sociedad.

Impact Baena set up Santi Comesana in the 47th minute assisting Villarreal's second goal while leading his side in both crosses and chances created. Baena has two assists while taking five shots, creating eight chances and crossing 20 times over his last three league starts.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Alexander Sorloth - Strikes as substitute Sorloth scored a goal with his lone shot during Friday's 3-1 win over Real Sociedad.

Impact Sorloth entered the match in the 79th minute and sealed the win with a goal in the 95th. The forward has been on the bench in each of Villarreal's last two matches, but has scored three goals and provided two assists across his last five La Liga appearances.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Goncalo Guedes - Assists with lone chance created Guedes had an assist with his lone chance created while taking one shot (on goal) during Friday's 3-1 win over Real Sociedad.

Impact Guedes set up Alexander Sorloth in the 95th minute assisting a late insurance goal for Villarreal. The attacker has started back-to-back league matches providing the assist while also taking four shots, creating five chances and crossing once.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Jorge Cuenca - Unavailable versus Granada Cuenca will miss Sunday's matchup versus Granada while serving a one-match suspension

Impact Cuenca was handed his fifth yellow card of the season versus Real Sociedad on Friday despite logging just 20 minutes off the bench. The defender has been held in a reserve role for the last two matches, so his absence may not significantly impact the starting XI. Still, Cuenca did feature in 12 of his last 17 outings across European and La Liga competition.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Comesaña double helps Villarreal beat Real Sociedad in La Liga

Santi Comesaña has scored in each half and Villarreal has beaten Real Sociedad 3-1 to move into 12th place in La Liga

FEBRUARY 23 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kiko Femenia - Lines up on bench Femenia (back) is on the bench for Friday's match against Real Sociedad.

Impact Femenia will avoid the sidelines after going down with a back issue this week in training, having earned a role on the bench for Friday's clash. The defender will hope to get back in the starting XI next match against Granada next Sunday, as before Friday, he had started in five straight contests. However, after beginning the season going unused for the majority of the club's games, he may be returning to that role, expected to play in more of a rotational spot.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Kiko Femenia - Facing late fitness test Femenia is in question for Friday's match against Real Sociedad, as manager Marcelino Garcia Toral told reporters, "I think he has had a problem in his back, but it doesn't seem se...

Impact Femenia is the newest member of the club to hit the injury list, having picked up a back issue that appears to only be minor. However, he will still have to wait on a fitness test before the match to determine if he can play or not. The club will hope for the player to make the team sheet, as he has started in their past five matches at right-back. If he is an option, expect Femenia to get the start, but if not, Adria Altimira will most likely return to a starting role in his place.

FEBRUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Alberto Moreno - Scores in draw Moreno scored one goal to go with three shots (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Friday's 1-1 draw versus Getafe.

Impact Moreno notched his first goal of the season in the 56th minute as he equalized the contest with a powerful shot from short-range. Aside from his goal, the full-back wasn't heavily involved as he only delivered one cross.

FEBRUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Filip Jorgensen - Concedes once in draw Jorgensen recorded no saves and allowed one goal in Friday's 1-1 draw versus Getafe.

Impact Jorgensen allowed one goal in the match, which occurred in the 24th minute when a poor clearance by a defender allowed an opposing player to get a shot from close-range. Aside from the goal allowed, Jorgensen didn't face much pressure as he didn't record a save for the first time all season. Next, he'll face Real Sociedad, a team with 34 goals in 25 games.

FEBRUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Eric Bailly - Earns bench role Bailly (strain) is on the bench for Friday's match against Getafe.

Impact Bailly was doubtful heading into Friday's contest but was still able to earn a spot on the bench, ending the defender's two-game absence due to a strain. He will now look to possibly secure a role in the starting XI again, as before the injury, he had started in three straight matches in contrast to the one he has spent on the bench since joining the team this winter.

FEBRUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Dani Parejo - On bench to face Getafe Parejo (knee) is on the bench for Friday's match against Villarreal.

Impact Parejo is finally back on the team sheet, ending his four-match absence from due to a knee issue. The midfielder will now look to make the starting XI in the club's next contest, as before the injury, he had only missed out on four starts all season.

FEBRUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Eric Bailly - Doubtful for Getafe match Bailly (strain) is in doubt for Friday's contest against Getafe, as manager Marcelino Garcia Toral told reporters, "Bailly is more complicated because it is practically the first t...

Impact Bailly looks to possibly be making his return earlier than thought, seemingly facing a late fitness test before the contest due to the heavy doubt around the player healing enough from his strain to play Friday. He was not supposed to be back out on the field until next week against Real Sociedad on Friday, but after training this week, he will have a chance to get on the team sheet. However, even if the defender does get the green light, he will most likely serve on the bench, with the team not rushing him back into action after holding the doubtful tag.

FEBRUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Dani Parejo - Option for Friday Parejo (knee) is available for Friday's contest against Getafe, as manager Marcelino Garcia Toral stated, "Dani Parejo, this week he has trained very well, so it is more possible t...

Impact Parejo looks to be making his return to play Friday, ending a four-match absence due to knee issues. The club will be happy to gain the midfielder back, as he is a regular starter when fit, only finding the bench three times when healthy. However, there seems to be doubt that he will start against Getafe, as the team will want to take the 34-year-old's return cautiously, most likely starting on the bench before getting time late into the game to test the fitness of his knee.

FEBRUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Gerard Moreno - Ambitious effort in draw Moreno had five shots (two on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 1-1 draw versus Deportivo Alaves.

Impact This marked the sixth consecutive game that Moreno tried at least two shots, while it also stands as the third time this season that he tried at least five shots in match. Additionally, Moreno has now accounted for a chance created in each of the last four games, with a total of 11 chances created within that span. Finally, he completed a minimum of 20 passes for the sixth straight appearance.

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Baena - Delivers assist in 1-1 draw Baena assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), eight crosses (three accurate) and seven corners in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Deportivo Alaves.

Impact Baena tallied his second assist in the last four outings and his seventh of the season. He also accounted for at least one chance created for the fourth time in five outings, with a total of 14 chances created over that span. Baena continues to provide influential play, helping build the attack, as he is now up to 11 accurate crosses within the same five-game span.

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Jorge Cuenca - Scores once in draw Cuenca scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), three crosses (two accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Deportivo Alaves. In addition, he was g...

Impact Cuenca buried his first goal in his last 17 appearances, dating back to the second game of the season. He also accounted for one chance created in the match, which stands as his first of the campaign. Additionally, his two accurate crosses in the match mark a new season high.

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Filip Jorgensen - Concedes one in draw Jorgensen recorded three saves and allowed one goal in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Deportivo Alaves.

Impact Jorgensen limited opponents to no more than one goal for the third time in the last four games, while conceding a total of five goals over that span. This also marks the 17th time in 24 appearances this season that he made at least three saves in a match.

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Dani Parejo - Remains sidelined Parejo (knee) is not available for Saturday's match against Alaves after not making the squad list.

Impact Parejo will continue on the sidelines, spending his fourth straight match in that position due to a knee injury. The midfielder was out on the training pitch this week, so there was hope he may play this weekend, but after seeing the squad list, he will have to wait another week. He will now look ahead to next week and hope for a decent week of training and recovery, looking to return against Getafe on Feb.16.

FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Dani Parejo - Spotted training Parejo (knee) was viewed in training on Thursday ahead of Saturday's contest against Deportivo Alaves.

Impact Parejo was viewed training for the first time since picking up his knee injury in mid-January, seeming to be making decent progress on his recovery. The midfielder could be an option for Saturday's contest, but that will most likely be based on his testing ahead of the match. If he does return this weekend, expect the midfielder to possibly get the start, as he has only missed out on three starts in games he has been available for this season.

FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Francis Coquelin - Makes four tackles Coquelin generated four tackles (two won), one clearance and two interceptions during Sunday's draw to Cadiz,

Impact Coquelin started three of the last five matches played since returning from a injury, totaling seven tackles, seven interceptions and five tackles in that span. He is still trying to work back to full form since missing the first three months of the campaign with a knee injury.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE