Match preview: Villarreal

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A look ahead to Saturday's game at the Amex.

2024-08-10T06:00+01:00

Villarreal head coach Marcelino.

Albion return to the Amex for the first time this season on Saturday when we take on La Liga side Villarreal in our final pre-season friendly, kick off 3pm. It is Fabian Herzeler's first home game as our head coach.

Tickets for the game can be purchased here.

The opposition

Founded in 1923, Villarreal spent most of their early years in the lower divisions in Spain but by the mid-2000s had established themselves as a real force with a reputation for their attacking style.

They reached the semi-final of the Champions League in 2006 and have been regulars in both the Champions and Europa leagues since then. The greatest moment in their history was in 2021 when, under Unai Emery, they beat Manchester United on penalties to lift the Europa League, the first major trophy in their history. The following season they again reached the last four in the Champions League before losing to Liverpool.

Villarreal finished a creditable eighth in La Liga last season after a poor start to their league campaign which yielded three wins from their opening 13 matches. Former coach Marcelino became their third manager of the season when he was appointed last November and credited the players rather than himself with the dramatic improvement in results. “My name is neither Saviour, nor my surname is Miracles,” he said. “The players were the ones who changed the dynamics.”

Summer moves

Papa Gueye joined Villlarreal from Marseille this summer.

It has been a busy transfer window so far for the Yellow Submarine, with six players leaving and two going to English clubs. Former Blackburn striker Ben Brereton Dias, who spent the second half of last season on loan with Sheffield United, has joined promoted Southampton in a £7m move and goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen has joined Chelsea for a reported £20.7m fee.

Marcelino has so far brought in three new players including 19-year-old defender Wily Kambwala from Manchester United. Pape Gueye (Marseille) and Diego Conde (Leganes) have also joined this summer.

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