The main changes to UD Las Palmas were Roque at the heart of midfield and a starting position for Argentine Mateo García. Raúl Lizoain also had the backing of his trainer in goal, while the central defensive partnership of Bigas-Lemos also featured, alongside left winger Dani Castellano.
This was an important game against Villarreal, in order to get back to winning ways in a cool Estadio Gran Canaria. The team from Castellón soon showed themselves to be a threat, interrupting the flow of the yellows’ play.
However it was a surging run down the left and a deep cross by Dani Castellano that led to a superb header by Prince to open the scoring (1-0). The goal gave impetus to the home team who went in search of a quick second goal.
Ten minutes later Víctor Ruíz was the last defender who brought down Prince and was sent off. The dangerous free kick was wasted by Viera, but the game itself had turned in favour of the home team. Soon afterwards Sansone claimed a penalty against Bigas, which was turned away by the referee. Álvaro came on for Samu Castillejo to try to settle things down. The half hour mark was reached.
A searing drive by Roque could have been a goal but away goalkeeper was quick to react, as he did to stop another effort by Vicente, as the half time whistle was blown.
Villarreal dominated the first few minutes of the second half which reached fever pitch. Prince tried an acrobatic scissors kick, followed soon after by a header.
Mateo was replaced by the experienced Momo, while Raúl kept his team in front as he stretched to save a shot by Sansone. Trigueros had another effort saved by Raúl once again from a free kick, as UD Las Palmas were struggling against a team that had only ten men on the pitch.
The game became quite dangerous for the home team as Villarreal looked to come back into proceedings and continue challenging for a Champions League place next season, attempting to extend their unbeaten away league form. Setién turned to the fresh legs of Jesé and Halilović, the two Winter signings, as his team fought to see out the rest of the game and pick up the valuable three points which they did to see safety from relegation an ever closer reality.
