Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Spanish capital as Rayo Vallecano welcome Villarreal. The home side have really struggled for results in recent weeks, but Villarreal have lost just two of their last 22 games in all competitions. Let's hope for an entertaining affair!

Right, without further ado, let me bring you the all-important team news from Madrid.

TEAMS:

RAYO: Tono; Tito, Ze Castro, Amaya, Nacho; Fatau, Jozabed; Lica, Bueno, Kakuta; Baptistao

VILLARREAL: Asenjo; Mario, Ruiz, Dorado, Rukavina; Pina, Marcos; Campbell, Gomez, Moreno; Giovani

So there we have it. On-loan Atletico Madrid forward Leo Baptistao once again leads the line for Rayo, while Gael Kakuta and Alberto Bueno also start. Raul Baena is suspended, however, which has opened up a spot in midfield for Jozabed. Lica also starts in what is an attacking XI from Paco Jemez.

Villarreal boss Marcelino, however, has made a number of changes to his usual XI. Skipper Bruno misses out with an Achilles problem, while Jonathan dos Santos is also injured. There is also no place in the team for leading scorer Luciano Vietto, with Gerard Moreno and Joel Campbell coming into the side. Villarreal B midfielder Sergio Marcos, meanwhile, makes his official debut for the first team.

In 11 previous La Liga meetings between these two sides, Rayo have only won once. Villarreal have recorded eight wins during that run of matches, with the further two games ending in draws. Villarreal have also won each of the last five matches – scoring 17 times and conceding just twice in the process.

Rayo remain one of the most exciting teams to watch in La Liga, but they have really struggled for form in recent weeks. Paco Jemez's side have won just one of their last five in the league, with that run of form leaving them 16th, just four points outside of the bottom three. Last time out, they suffered a 2-0 defeat at Elche, who were bottom at the time. Can the capital side bounce back in this one?

Rayo's home form this season has been poor – winning just two of their 10 matches, losing seven times in the process. They have also scored just nine times at home in the league, which is a concern at this stage. Away from home, however, they have been pretty strong – winning five of their 12 matches.

Villarreal, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 3-1 defeat at Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final last week. The Yellow Submarine also lost at Barca in the league earlier this month, but they have only just two of their last 21 matches in all competitions. As it stands, they occupy sixth spot in the table, six points off fourth, which Nuno's Valencia side currently hold.

Marcelino's side beat Granada 2-0 last weekend to continue their strong run of form in the league and indeed strong form on their own patch. They have won eight of their 11 home league games this season, while they have also impressed on the road – winning four times and only losing twice. It is shaping up to be a successful campaign for the Yellow Submarine, who are also still in the Europa League.

PREDICTION! Away win for me. Rayo have some talented players, but are very inconsistent. It all depends which Rayo turn up this evening. Villarreal are missing a number of key players, but should still have enough to secure all the points. I am backing a 2-1 Villarreal victory in Madrid.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the away side get the first 45 minutes underway.

As expected, it has been a fast opening to proceedings, with both teams attempting to lay down a marker in the opening couple of minutes. Plenty happening in the middle of the park here.

It has been a bright start from the home side, with Kakuta and Lica enjoying possession in wide areas of the field. Joel Campbell threatens to fashion an opportunity for Villarreal after driving down the right, but Nacho is across to make the challenge. This has all the makings of a really entertaining match.

Slightly untidy from Villarreal in the last couple of minutes, with Asenjo and Ruiz both guilty of firing straight into touch. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in this type of match. Campbell remains a threat for the visitors as he draws a foul from Fatau.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening nine minutes, with both teams guilty of conceding possession too easily in the final third. Some of the early tempo has also dropped here.

Rayo force the issue with two corners in quick succession, the second of which is delivered by Jozabed, but Asenjo is on hand to clear. The pressure continues as Kakuta delivers from a wide area, but Dorado is on hand to clear. Rayo are the team forcing the issue in the final third of the field here.

Half-chance for Villarreal this time as Moi Gomez delivers a super ball towards Moreno, but Ze Castro is on the cover to clear the danger. The resulting corner is also dealt with by the home side's defence.

Still plenty of pace and drive to this match, but neither side has been able to create a clear chance in the opening 15 minutes. I would be absolutely astounded if there were not goals in this one, though.

Both of these teams are strong on the ball, but that has not really been the case this evening. They are taking it in turns to attack, but the ball is flying all over the place in the middle of the park. Moi Gomez has started to take up some strong positions for Villarreal, but has been unable to find a pass.

CHANCE! The first real chance of the match falls to the home side as Nacho delivers a super cross onto the head of Baptistao, but the striker's effort just flicks wide of Asenjo's post. Unlucky.

CHANCE! Oh my word what a miss! Sensational chance for Villarreal this time as Marcos delivers a cross into the unmarked Victor Ruiz, who had stayed forward from a corner, but the defender fires over the crossbar from close range. Incredible opportunity for the visitors to register here.

Well, not too many chances in the opening 19 minutes, but both sides have had glorious opportunities in the last few minutes. Just a few signs that Villarreal are starting to take charge of this match.

Half-chance for the home side as Amaya delivers a dangerous free kick towards Baptistao, but the striker cannot make contact and Villarreal restart proceedings with a goal kick. The home supporters are making plenty of noise at the moment and their team is responding with a period of pressure.

CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Villarreal as Giovani collects a super pass from Pina before rounding Tono, but the Mexican can only fire one across the line. There were no takers in the middle of the box and the home side manage to clear. How on earth is this match still goalless?!

Excellent noise inside the stadium as the home supporters continue to make their voices heard, but their team should be behind here. You just get the feeling that Rayo need to score the first goal here.

Half-chance for Rayo this time as Amaya delivers a cross towards Baptistao, which the striker directs towards goal, but Asenjo is on hand to make the save. Chances at either end with 32 mins played.

Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and the score is still level at 0-0 in Madrid. There has also still not been a single yellow card, which is surprising following a number of late challenges. The home supporters are having a real party in the stadium, however, which is fantastic to see!

BOOKING! Pina (Villarreal) is the first name in the book for handball.

Another half-chance for the home side as Baptistao delivers a super cross towards Lica, but the Portuguese can only direct his header over the crossbar. Villarreal have had the two best chances of the mate, but Rayo have probably just about shaded it in terms of pressure in the final third here.

CHANCE! Another super chance for the home side as Kakuta delivers an excellent cross towards the head of Lica, but the forward places his effort too high of the crossbar. Wow.

Villarreal come close once again as Ruiz shows excellent feet in a forward area before sliding a pass into the path of Giovani, but Tono is out to claim at the vital moment. Some work from the centre-back!

BOOKING! Fatau (Rayo) is booked for a late challenge on Moreno.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two sides level at 0-0. Both teams have had excellent chances, but neither has been able to break the deadlock. It has been an entertaining clash nonetheless and it really should bring some goals in the second 45 minutes!

STATS! The home side have dominated the possession with 57%, while they have had four attempts - one of which has been on target. Villarreal, meanwhile, have failed to hit the target with any of their three attempts, but they have had two excellent chances. The deadlock should have been broken.

BENCH WATCH! Rayo have former Manchester United striker Manucho on their bench this evening, while Trashorras and Pozuelo are also available for Paco Jemez. Villarreal, meanwhile, have plenty of attacking options in the shape of Cherysev, Trigueros and leading scorer Vietto.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Surely there will be some goals in the capital? It is the home side that get the second 45 minutes underway.

No changes from either side at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect alterations will occur if the score remains goalless for the next 20, 25 minutes in the capital.

Rayo threaten down the left as Kakuta collects a pass from Lica before driving a low cross towards Baptistao, but the former was just in an offside position. Not too much from Villarreal in the second period, with Moreno and Giovani both struggling in the final third. Vietto watches on...

The home side lead with 51 minutes on the clock as Alberto Bueno pokes home from close range after collecting a deep corner at the far post. The Spaniard showed excellent feet to move past Gomez, before stabbing into the back of the net. A little untidy to say the least, but the supporters do not mind!

Villarreal boss Marcelino must be considering a change - even at this early stage of the second period. The likes of Moreno and Giovani have both really struggled to influence matters this evening.

Half-chance for the away side as Gomez slides an excellent pass towards Giovani, but Ze Castro is across to clear at the vital moment. It appears that Villarreal are preparing a double change.

SUBS! Indeed the double change is made as Vietto and Cheryshev replace Giovani and Gomez.

The away side have certainly raised their game in the last couple of minutes, with Vietto suddenly providing a threat in the final third. Rayo's defence are prone to mistakes and it would not be a surprise to see a quick-fire equaliser. Little over 30 minutes of normal time remaining in the capital.

SUB! Third change for Villarreal as Trigueros replaces Pina.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Villarreal as Cheryshev delivers an excellent cross towards Vietto, but the striker fires over from close range. Those two have changed this game for the visitors.

SUB! Rayo make their first change as Manucho replaces Baptistao.

The home supporters have really cranked up the volume in the last few minutes, with the play flowing from end-to-end. Villarreal have a half-chance as Campbell drives past two defenders before firing a low cross into the box, but Ze Castro just does enough to clear. Little over 25 minutes to play.

CHANCE! Rayo come close to scoring a second as Kakuta puts a cross onto the head of Manucho, but his effort is straight at Asenjo from close range. What a match we have on our hands here!

This place has just exploded! Rayo have their second of the match as Kakuta taps home from close range following an excellent low cross from Lica. Manucho also played his part with a flick-on.

Can Villarreal find a way back into this match? At the moment, it is Rayo that look most likely to add to the scoring here. Little under 20 minutes of this entertaining La Liga clash remaining.

BOOKING! Amaya (Rayo) is booked for a tug on Vietto.

SUB! Rayo make their second change as Moreno replaces Lica.

Villarreal have the chance to respond as Cheryshev finds space in a wide area, but the Russian delivers straight into the arms of the Rayo goalkeeper. The attacker is much, much better than that.

POST! Wonderful chance for Villarreal to open their tally for the evening as Campbell delivers a cross towards Vietto, but the Argentine pokes one against the post. Rayo are straight down the other end moments later, but Manucho fires straight at Asenjo. End-to-end football in the Spanish capital!

SUB! Rayo make their third change as Morcillo replaces Nacho.

Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Time is running out for the away side, while Rayo remain a threat in the final third. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals here.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, with Rayo frustrating Villarreal in the final third. As it stands, the home side will jump six places into 10th position.

BOOKING! Campbell (Villarreal) is booked for dissent.

It just has not happened for Villarreal in this match, with Moreno and Campbell both struggling to make their mark. Marcelino made a number of changes to his XI for this match and it has not worked.

Rayo are comfortable at the moment, despite Villarreal forcing the issue in the final third. The home supporters have really had a good time this evening and why not! Their team has played well.

Just a reminder that following this match we have live coverage of Celta Vigo against Atletico Madrid - be sure to remain with me for that one. Back to Madrid, Rayo have another half-chance as Jozabed strikes one from outside the box, but Asenjo is down to his right to make a fairly routine save.

We are into the first of four added minutes in the Spanish capital.

Villarreal are doing their best to launch a late response, but they are struggling for ideas in the final third as Rayo clear their lines time and time again. Can Rayo keep a rare clean sheet here? Cheryshev is struggling, meanwhile, following that knock on the head. It really has not been Villarreal's night!

Trigueros strikes one straight at Tono as the Rayo goalkeeper is called into action.

So there we have it. Rayo rise into 10th position in the table with a 2-0 win over Villarreal, who remain sixth. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!