Despite the hosts’ status as heavy pre-match favourites, it was the relegation-battling visitors who arguably shaded things in a first half which lacked quality at both ends.
Although they didn’t particularly create much going forward, Alaves at least did well defensively to limit a Yellow Submarine side who came into the game as the joint-third highest goalscorers in LaLiga this season.
That said, the hosts got the first real chance just after the half-hour mark, when Georges Mikautadze’s effort from just inside the area flew narrowly wide of the right post.
But Villarreal’s failure to register a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes was all the home faithful really cared about, and for a side firmly on course for UEFA Champions League football next term, a huge improvement would be needed in the second half from the Yellow Submarine.
Villarreal obliged and struck twice in quick succession shortly after half-time, with their opener coming on 50’, when Alberto Moleiro collected a loose ball just outside the area and sent a sublime right-footed curling effort into the top right-hand corner of the net.
It was then 2-0 just seven minutes later, as Antonio Sivera pushed a ball across the area away – but only into the path of Gerard Moreno, whose first-time effort beat the goalkeeper to find the bottom left-hand corner.
With the stuffing knocked out of the visitors, the result was put beyond doubt inside the final 15 minutes. Moleiro turned provider by playing Mikautadze in, and the Georgian produced a clever dinked finish to cap off a clinical second-half display from Villarreal.
Alaves pulled a goal back through Toni Martinez late on, but it couldn’t prevent the Yellow Submarine from reinforcing their grip on third place.
They still harbour some hopes of being involved in the title race too, while Alaves drop down a place to 15th – just three points above the relegation zone for now.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Alberto Moleiro (Villarreal)