B Team: What a phenomenal comeback to defeat Girona 2-3 at the Montilivi. Make it 3 wins in 5 matches for Javi Gracia's squad. Highlights below (h/t Fendetestas666):
Nilmar: His rich vein of form has come at a great time. The Brazilian international has scored Villarreal's last 4 goals (dating back to the 9/12 Espanyol match), and to underscore his importance, he barely featured in the losses away to Real Sociedad and Dinamo Zagreb. When he and Italian international Rossi are in sync, they comprise one of the most formidable striker pairings in all of Europe. This is why the club broke the bank last summer. Keep up that goal-a-game pace, senhor.
Málaga CF: Very explosive up front, as Capdevila acknowledges. Watch out for Eliseu (a thorn in our side with Lazio and Zaragoza) and Quincy on the counterattack, along with Apoño from set pieces. I would value a point, considering how difficult La Rosaleda has been for the club. But why not strive for all 3 points, especially coming off a clean-sheet victory in Diego López's 100th Villarreal match?
And what did we do to Levante? With a win on Monday, teams from the Valencian community would be 1-2 in La Liga. Fingers crossed.