Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from El Madrigal as Villarreal welcome Sevilla in what promises to be one of the games of the weekend. Both of these teams are still in the race for the top four, while Villarreal will be looking for revenge after recently being dumped out of the Europa League by Unai Emery's team. Before anything else, let me bring you up-to-speed with the confirmed team news.

TEAMS:

VILLARREAL: Asenjo; Mario, Musacchio, Bailly, Rukavina; Campbell, Gomez, Pina, Jonathan; Gerard, Giovani

SEVILLA: Rico; Coke, Pareja, Kolo, Tremoulinas; Carrico, Mbia; Diogo, Iborra, Vitolo; Bacca

So there we have it. Both Luciano Vietto and Ikechukwu Uche start on the bench for Villarreal this afternoon, while Manu Trigueros drops out of the XI. Gerard Moreno and Giovani dos Santos both start in attack, while Moi Gomez is also given a spot in midfield. Jaume Costa misses out through suspension.

Sevilla boss Emery, meanwhile, recalls top scorer Carlos Bacca to his forward line at the expense of Kevin Gameiro, who misses out through injury. Spanish winger Vitolo also starts, but Ever Banega surprising drops to the bench. Diogo Figueiras will start further forward on the right ahead of Coke.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Sevilla have won four of the last five games, including all three fixtures this season. In the league, Sevilla won 2-1 back in October, before eliminating Villarreal in the last-16 stage of the Europa League. They won 3-1 at El Madrigal on March 12, before recording a 2-1 win in Seville on Thursday. It will be interesting to see whether we have a similar type of game to the one that occurred just three days ago. Sevilla will certainly hope so!

Villarreal will enter the match off the back of a 0-0 draw away to Almeria last weekend, while they are unbeaten in their last four league matches. That run of form has kept them in the hunt for Champions League football, but they are currently three points behind fifth-place Sevilla and 10 points off fourth-place Atletico Madrid. In truth, a top-four finish is unlikely, but they will want to finish above Sevilla.

The Yellow Submarine's home league form has been strong this season – winning 10 of their 13 matches and only conceding 10 times. They have only won four times on the road, but only been beaten three times, which is an indication of their progress over the last 12 months. Reaching the last-16 stage of the Europa League and the Copa del Rey semi-finals must be deemed a success.

Sevilla, meanwhile, have won three of last five games in the league, with that run of form keeping them fifth. They are now seven points behind fourth-place Atletico Madrid, but they have a game in hand over the Spanish champions. Last weekend, they beat Elche 3-0 in a comfortable match, but they are entering a difficult run of games. After the international break, they face in-form Athletic Bilbao and also welcome Barcelona on April 11. It is a vital stage of the season that is for certain.

Incredibly, Sevilla have not lost on their own patch in any competition for over a year. They are the only team in La Liga that has not been beaten in their own stadium this season, but their form on the road has been extremely hit-and-miss. They have won six of their 13 away games this season, but lost seven. They have either been impressive or very disappointing on their travels. What will occur here?

PREDICTION! Sevilla have had Villarreal's number in recent games, but I think that the Yellow Submarine will enter this game as the favourites. I am hoping for an entertaining clash between two excellent teams, but I am going to sit on the fence somewhat and back a highly-charged 1-1 draw.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Not quite a full house at El Madrigal, there is a good atmosphere. It is the home side that get the first 45 minutes underway.

The home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with the likes of Pina and Moi Gomez enjoying early touches of the ball. It is interesting to see that Vietto has once again been left out of a league lineup. Marcelino has protected his star striker at times this season.

Bacca has the chance to advance into the Sevilla box after collecting a long pass in a wide area, but the striker cannot move past Musacchio, who makes a strong challenge. Moments later, the home side are down the other end and force a free kick when Carrico brings Campbell to the ground...

... Giovani takes the set piece, but his effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar.

Villarreal have just about shaded the opening six minutes here, but Sevilla, as expected, are a serious threat on the counter attack. You just get the feeling that the first goal could be massive here.

Villarreal almost force a shooting chance as Mario combines with Moi Gomez, but the return pass is just too strong and Sevilla clear. The Yellow Submarine remain the more inventive in the final third.

Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. In truth, a point apiece would not be the worst result for either team here, but Villarreal, as the hosts, have an obligation to push forward. Still goalless after 10 minutes.

Carrico tries his luck for the visitors after finding space outside the box, but his effort was always straight into the arms of Asenjo. We are still waiting for the first real opportunity this afternoon.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sevilla to open the scoring as Bacca meets a flicked header from Iborra inside the Villarreal box, but Musacchio is across to make a stunning challenge. Chance there!

it is Villarreal's turn to attack as Mario drives down the right before flashing a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Mbia manages to clear for a corner. End-to-end football at El Madrigal.

It isn't quite happening for Villarreal in the final third at the moment as another attack breaks down in a wide position. Bacca again comes close to collecting a through ball from Pareja, but Asenjo is on hand to make the clearance. It has been, as expected, a tight opening 19 minutes to this key match.

CHANCE! Sevilla again come close to breaking the deadlock and again it is Bacca who strikes one from outside the box, but his effort curls high of the crossbar. Bacca has been the danger thus far.

Neither side is really in control of the possession at the moment, but Sevilla continue to look the more threatening in the final third. Both of the game's best chances have fallen to the visitors here.

CHANCE! Again Sevilla come close as Vitolo meets a cross from Diogo, but his header is pushed wide by Asenjo. Super goalkeeping from the Spaniard, who has been the busier goalkeeper thus far.

Villarreal are straight down the other end with Moreno, who angles one towards the bottom corner, but Rico is down to make the save. The match is hotting up with 27 minutes on the clock here.

Villarreal have had a very good season, but there is no doubt that Sevilla have looked the better team in the opening 30 minutes here. Marcelino has rotated his side on a number of occasions this season and the Yellow Submarine just do not look the same team in attack without top scorer Vietto.

Possession football from Sevilla in the last couple of minutes as they attempt to find a way through the Villarreal midfield, but Musacchio wins the race with Bacca, who has been ever so lively.

Just a reminder that later this evening it is Barcelona against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou. Be sure to join me from 7pm for live build-up to that one. It should be an absolute cracker! Back to El Madrigal and we are still goalless with little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining. Where are the goals?

SAVE! Villarreal come close to taking the lead as Giovani strikes one towards the bottom corner, but Rico is across to make a super save. Plenty of good goalkeeping on display here.

OFF-THE-LINE! Another golden chance for the home side as Mario pulls a cross back to Campbell, who seemingly has the simple task of rolling the ball into an empty net, but somehow Pareja makes a last-ditch clearance. Suddenly Villarreal are crowding Sevilla in the final third. Great game now!

CHANCES! Oh my word! Villarreal have a golden chance to take the lead as Jonathan dos Santos meets a loose ball inside the Sevilla box, but somehow his effort is blocked on route to goal. Sevilla are straight down the other end with Iborra, who sets up Bacca, but the Colombian curls wide of the post!

Hardly time to take a breath at the moment as this incredible game flows from end-to-end!

There is a break in play as Asenjo receives some treatment, but the stopper is fit to continue.

CROSSBAR! Good grief. How on earth are Villarreal not ahead! Moreno delivers super cross into Moi Gomez, who looks to curl his effort into the top corner, but he smashes the crossbar from close range!

Villarreal are all over Sevilla like a rash at the moment, but the score remains 0-0.

Moreno continues to cause problems inside the Sevilla box as the forward turns before attempting to fire one towards the bottom corner, but Pareja just does enough as the striker hits wide of the post.

Just the one additional minute at the end of this half.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Quite how there have not been any goals this afternoon is an absolute mystery! Bacca has had a couple of golden chances for the visitors, but Villarreal have done pretty much everything but score!

STATS! Villarreal have had more of the possession with 57%, while they have already had 15 attempts - three of which were on target. Sevilla, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their six attempts. There have been 14 fouls in total, but still no yellow cards for either team at El Madrigal.

BENCH WATCH! Villarreal boss Marcelino has two obvious attacking options on his bench this afternoon, with both Vietto and Uche capable of making a difference. Sevilla, meanwhile, have the likes of Aspas, Banega, Suarez and Reyes in reserve. Will we see changes at the interval?

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a breakthrough at El Madrigal? It is the away side that get the second 45 minutes underway here.

No changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains goalless for the next 15, 20 minutes here.

You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital here. Coke breaks forward from right-back for Sevilla, but his chipped effort is straight into the arms of Asenjo. The referee has not produced a single card thus far, but there have been some tasty tackles already this half.

Sevilla take the lead with 49 minutes on the clock as Coke slides one into the bottom corner after excellent work from Diogo. It is against the run of play, but the visitors are ahead at El Madrigal.

SUB! Sevilla are forced into a defensive change as Navarro replaces Tremoulinas.

Villarreal missed so many chances in the first period and you just got the feeling that they might be made to regret it. Well, that is the case with 52 minutes played. Still plenty of time here, though.

Good spell of possession for Villarreal as they work the ball from right to left, but the move breaks down when Rukavina attempts to force the cross. Moi Gomez is down the opposite side moments later, but his low cross is hacked clear. Villarreal already have three or four subs warming up here.

Half-chance for the home side as Campbell finds space outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. As it stands, Sevilla would be just four points off fourth position.

Villarreal are preparing to make a double change, which is not a surprise. They need freshness.

Another opportunity for the home side as Jonathan dos Santos finds Moi Gomez at the far post, but his effort is blocked by Navarro. Wonderful defending from the full-back as Sevilla retain their lead.

SUB! Double change for the hosts as Vietto and Trigueros replace Campbell and Jonathan.

SUB! Sevilla make their second change as Iborra is replaced by Banega.

Sevilla are very deep at the moment, which is a surprise at this stage of the match. There is still plenty of time for Villarreal to open their account. In truth, their finishing has been really poor thus far.

Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of moments, but Sevilla will not mind with their lead still in tact. It would be a real blow for Villarreal if they were to lose this one.

Sevilla have their second of the match as Vitolo, who recently gained a call-up to the senior Spain squad, volleys a Coke cross into the bottom corner. Super finish from such a good player.

Can Villarreal find a route back into this match? It is going to be very tough from this position. Sevilla have done a job on the home side here - soaked up the pressure and scored twice on the counter.

BOOKING! Moi Gomez (Villarreal) is booked for pulling Navarro to the ground.

Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and Sevilla are comfortable here. Villarreal are doing their best to force the issue, but it keeps breaking down before they can fashion a shot on goal.

SUB! Villarreal make their third and final change as Uche replaces Giovani.

Half-chance for the home side as Moreno meets a deep cross from Trigueros, but his header was always straight into the arms of Rico, who has not had much to do in the second half thus far.

Villarreal have the chance to threaten from a wide free kick, but the delivery is far too strong and Sevilla gain a goal-kick. Poor from Moi Gomez, who really should have scored in the first period.

BOOKING! Musacchio (Villarreal) is booked for a poor challenge on Vitolo.

Not too much to report in terms of clear opportunities in the last few minutes, with Sevilla fairly comfortable in dealing with the threat from the home side. Villarreal should have been two or three goals ahead at the break, but they have been made to pay for their missed opportunities in this half.

SUB! Sevilla make their third and final change as Aspas replaces Bacca.

CHANCE! Villarreal's best chance for some time comes for Uche after the Nigerian works a yard inside the box, but his low effort just fizzes past the post. Still 2-0 Sevilla here.

Vietto is next to try his luck for Villarreal, but his effort from just outside the box is pretty comfortable for Rico, who has been a very good replacement for the injured Beto in recent weeks.

Sevilla are so incredibly dangerous when they break, not just in this match, but all season. Villarreal have a half-chance down the other end after the counter breaks down, but Mario's effort is blocked on route to goal. This would be some statement from Sevilla - winning at El Madrigal in this manner.

POST! Almost a route back into the match for the home side as Moreno spins inside the Sevilla box, but his low effort rattles the post. It is incredible that Villarreal have not scored here!

Right-back Mario has been arguably Villarreal's best player in the second period and that says a lot about some of their performances further forward. The hosts are exerting some strong late pressure.

Half-chance for Vietto as the Argentine meets a corner from the left, but his header is over. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes at El Madrigal.

Villarreal are finishing this game strongly, but they are going to suffer another defeat to Sevilla.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Sevilla running out 2-0 winners over sixth-place Villarreal. The visitors are now just four points behind fourth-place Atletico as the race for Champions League football rages on. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!