Villarreal 0-0 Espanyol: Yellow Submarines Suffer Stalemate Against 10-Man Blanc i Blau

Villarreal's poor run of form in the Primera Division continues as they struggled to a goalless draw with Espanyol at El Madrigal this afternoon.

The visitors were reduced to ten men after just fifteen minutes of the match after Juan Forlin saw red for a foul on Giuseppe Rossi, but they could not capitalise on the advantage, and it is now six matches without a win domestically for Ernesto Valverde's side.

The match itself was a scrappy affair, and the home sides’ distinct lack of confidence was evident in their disjointed play, and inability to create clear cut opportunities.

The match may have been so different, however, had it not been for an early red card administered to Espanyol defender Juan Forlin.

After just fifteen minutes, Giuseppe Rossi raced in on goal to be upended by Forlin, and the referee had no choice but to dismiss him.

From the resulting free kick, Marcos Senna’s shot was saved well by Carlos Kameni, and other than a Rossi effort right on half time that just missed at the near post, it was a tepid first half display by both sides.

Espanyol set out to take a point from the match following Forlin’s exit, and Villarreal found it increasingly difficult to break down the staunch Los Periquitos back line. Santi Cazorla fired in a low shot that was brilliantly saved by Kameni, down low to his left.

Joseba Llorente was brought into the action as a replacement for the ineffective Nilmar, but it was again poor finishing that blighted Villarreal’s attempts to win the match.

Rossi created another chance inside the area when the ball dropped kindly for him, but his shot was blocked and his teammates handball cries were waved away by the officials.  Jonathan Pereira also had an opening on the right but could only blaze wildly over.

In the dying moments, Marcos Senna looked set to drill home the winning goal, but could only direct his shot wide of the post, much to his and the home support's dismay.

The match summed up Villarreal's season so far - they cannot be faulted for effort, but they are short of quality at the moment, while Espanyol can be thoroughly delighted with holding out to claim a vital point.

Paul Macdonald, Goal.com