Villarreal go to Mendizorroza on Friday with a simple target: get Iñigo Pérez his first win in charge. After draws with Racing de Santander and Atlético de Madrid, the trip to Alavés has become an early marker for a side that is trying to turn sharper possession into three points.
The search interest around the Deportivo Alavés Vs Villarreal CF standings is tied to what a result would mean now. Kickoff is at 21.30 on Dazn, and a victory would leave Villarreal on five points from nine away. That is not a title chase story. It is the story of a team trying to prove that the new ideas are producing something more than control.
Villarreal have already shown why Pérez believes the change can work. They outplayed Atlético de Madrid and still let two points slip while a man up, which is the kind of missed chance that leaves a coach satisfied with the performance and frustrated with the table. Pérez said he has his full squad available, and Nathan Saliba could make his debut, while Alassane Diatta returns from suspension. Luiz Junior is set to stay in goal.
That is the friction in the match. Villarreal are being described as more dominant and more ambitious under Pérez, but they are still waiting for the first win that would make the new approach look settled rather than promising. The trip also comes with old baggage. Villarreal drew 1-1 at Alavés last time, when Nicolas Pepe scored late, and lost 1-0 on the previous visit despite finishing with two players more.
Alavés, meanwhile, have opened with four points and will try to make the game awkward again. Quique Flores is expected to keep a rugged back five, with Sivera in goal and Tenaglia leading the defence. Antonio Blanco or Mikel Rodíguez should shape the flow from deeper positions, while Toni Martínez and Boyé are set to attack the area. Mariano is waiting in reserve after two goals following four years without scoring.
So the next step is clear: Villarreal do not just need a better performance in the standings. They need one that finally converts Pérez’s ideas into a result at a ground where the margin has already been thin.
