Rayo Vallecano produced an impressive display to shock Villarreal with a 2-0 victory that pulls them further clear of the relegation zone in La Liga.
Chances were difficult to come by in the early stages, but it was the hosts who created the first opportunity of the evening when Nacho's inviting cross was headed just wide by Leo Baptistao.
Villarreal responded moments later when a corner was cleared as far as Marcos, and his delivery found Victor Ruiz, who somehow managed to fire over from close range.
The deadlock should have been broken before the break, but Rayo wasted another big chance when Lica sent a header over the crossbar after being picked out by the lively Gael Kakuta.
However, the home side would not be made to regret the miss as Alberto Bueno finally made the breakthrough early in the second half by poking home after controlling a corner at the back post.
The response was impressive from Villarreal, who sent on Denis Cheryshev and Luciano Vietto, and the two substitutes combined to set up an opening for the latter to strike over the crossbar.
Rayo found their clinical edge at the vital stage as Manucho flicked the ball into the path of Lica, whose drilled cross was converted by Kakuta.
Villarreal's eagerness to find a way back into the game created space to set up an entertaining finish, but they failed to close the gap late on as Vietto struck the post to give the home fans a scare.
The win takes Rayo seven points clear of the relegation zone, while Villarreal remain six points behind fourth-placed Valencia in the battle for Champions League football.
Callum Mulvihill
