There is no mercy for the visitors as two extra minutes of stoppage time are added on to the end of the game.
88'
Apollon have everyone back in their own half now as they look to try and stop this from becoming any more embarrassing!
86'
This has turned into a training ground game for Villarreal now. Everyone is looking to get in on the act and Trigueros is only denied a goal by the foot of the post!
84'
Villarreal have dominated from the off and look good value for their win tonight. Gerard, Espinosa and Vietto have all looked a cut above their opponents tonight.
83'
Thuram enters the game and replaces F. Papoulis.
82'
Gerard Moreno has scored a goal for Villarreal! Assist by G. dos Santos.
GOOOOOOAAAAL!! GERARD HAS HIS SECOND! Dos Santos creates it with a fantastic run into the box that draws Merkis out of position as he tries to assist Joao Paulo. The Mexican then rolls it across for Gerard and the striker supplies the finish to make it 4-0!
81'
Apollon have been seriously poor tonight. They've been clinging on for dear life since the opening minutes!
79'
Joao Paulo gets away with two fouls there! The Portuguese slid in to stop Dos Santos from shooting and appears to block the effort with his hand. Nothing is given and seconds later he has a hack at the Mexican's legs and brings him to ground, but again is not punished!
78'
JUST WIDE! Abraham spins his marker and finds space to shoot 25 yards from goal. His left-footed effort bobbles towards goal but swings narrowly wide of the post. Juan Carlos wasn't anywhere near it!
Minute
Description
76'
Rezek is doing plenty of running to try and close the Villarreal defenders when they have possession, and he eventually gets in a challenge but when the ball goes out of play it is awarded to the opposition. He didn't look convinced it was actually a corner anyway!
74'
Apollon just seem to want this game to end already! Their substitutes have had next to no impact and they just don't look like they want to be on the pitch. After an impressive performance in their Group A opener, this display will be a big disappointment for them.
73'
G. dos Santos enters the game and replaces L. Vietto.
72'
Giovani dos Santos is now introduced and it is Vietto who makes way. The Argentine put in a good shift against Real Madrid at the weekend and has impressed once more tonight.
70'
Abraham gets his first chance since coming on at the break but he has to stretch too far in order to reach a cross from the right and fails to steer the ball on target.
69'
VILLARREAL HIT THE BAR! A fantastic cross from the left is met by the head of Gerard at the back post. He sends his header down into the ground and as it beats Bruno Vale before coming back off the frame of the goal! He just cannot seem to find his second of the night!
67'
A corner from the left is sent deep to the edge of the box for Cani and the midfielder hits a first-time volley. He is looking to pick out the bottom corner on the far side but Joao Paulo again makes an important interception.
65'
The tempo of the game has suffered since the third goal. Villarreal appear happy to cruise through the rest of the game while Apollon have looked bereft on any forward-thinking ideas.
63'
Manu Trigueros enters the game and replaces J. dos Santos.
Espinosa tees himself up for a volley inside the box, hoping for a spectacular hat-trick, but Hamdani chases back and gets a foot to the ball before he can connect with the shot. An important interception there!
Well, there is a change from Villarreal but it is neither of the players I mentioned actually coming on! Jonathan dos Santos makes way and Trigueros comes on to freshen up the midfield.
61'
Indeed, Uche and Giovani dos Santos appear to be preparing themselves for action on the touchline. Their introduction could have the effect of galvanising Villarreal to look for a fourth.
59'
Villarreal travel to face Celta Vigo at the weekend so may look to make a few changes for the final half an hour in order to keep legs fresh.
57'
The hosts seem to have stepped off the pace since scoring the third goal and are allowing Apollon to get a feel for the ball. Sangoy appears like he might be struggling with injury as he starts to hobble his way around the midfield.
55'
STAT: Villarreal have won their last nine home games in the Europa League and look set to make it 10 tonight. The only questions seems to be: by how many will they win?
53'
Despite the substitutions there has been absolutely no change to Apollon's approach in this half. They have been unable to get anywhere near the ball as Villarreal continue to completely dominate the game.
51'
Javier Espinosa has scored a goal for Villarreal! Assist by L. Vietto.
Marin drives to the byline and attempts to cut the ball back into the centre for Vietto but only manages to find Merkis, and the centre-back hooks it out of the box.
GOOOOOOOAAAL!! Vietto picks up the ball 25 yards out and rolls it out to Espinosa, in space to his right. The former Barcelona man dribbles into the box and puts it on his right foot before hammering a tremendous shot into the far corner. Stunning goal!
49'
Apollon win a free kick wide on the right and Abraham challenges Mario at the back post but is unable to direct the ball goalwards. It falls to Papoulis, however, but the Greek thrashes a volley well high of the goal.
48'
J. Rezek enters the game and replaces G. Vasiliou.
Now Rezek makes his way onto the pitch, and it is Vasiliou who has been removed. An attacking change from the Apollon boss, then.
47'
It looks like it is Abraham who has actually come on, with Lopez making way.
46'
A. Guié Gneki enters the game and replaces Hugo López.
We are back underway at El Madrigal. Rezek was stripped and ready to come on at the break but play begins without the change being made!
45' +2
There is the half-time whistle!
45' +1
We are into the first of an additional two minutes.
45'
GERARD! The striker has a chance to make it three before half time but his header from eight yards out flies over the top of the goal!
44'
Javier Espinosa has scored a goal for Villarreal! Assist by L. Vietto.
GOOOOOOAAAL!! VILLARREAL MAKE IT 2-0! Vietto flights a fantastic pass over the top of the defence and Espinosa's control takes him in behind Vasiliou. His second touch is exquisite, as he chips the ball over the top of the onrushing keeper for his side's second goal.
43'
Papoulis manages to whip in a cross from the right that finds the space between the defence and the goalkeeper. It almost reaches Lopez at the back post but Gabriel manages to hook it clear before the Apollon man can attempt to turn it on target.
41'
A short free kick is eventually moved into the middle for Gerard, but the striker's first touch lets him down and enables Merkis to intercept and nullify the danger.
39'
SANGOY! The striker picks up the ball 30 yards from goal and is stood up by Mario. He shifts it inside onto his right foot and unleashes a stinging drive which bounces just in front of Juan Carlos, but the keeper manages to parry it aside and keep it out of the corner.
37'
It clearly wasn't a serious injury as dos Santos is soon back to his feet and jogs to the touchline before re-entering play. His first act is to play an errant pass straight to the opposition.
36'
Dos Santos stays down and looks to be in some pain as he chased back and collided with his team-mate Gabriel. The referee allows play to continue before eventually bringing it to a halt so the Mexican receive treatment.
34'
Bruno whips in a cross from the right but once more Joao Paulo gets his head on it before a yellow shirt can connect. Espinosa picks up the loose ball and attempts to beat Merkis to the byline but the Apollon man comes out on top.
32'
Villarreal are playing far too narrow in the final third now. They are looking for the most intricate of passes rather than bringing the full backs into play on either flank.
30'
Bruno lets out a real yelp as he is challenge from behind by Robert, but the Frenchman quickly apologises and consoles his counterpart. The referee awards the hosts a free kick but there is no card for the Apollon man.
29'
Victor Ruiz does brilliantly as he stands up Sangoy and shows the Argentine to be short of ideas as he blocks his attempted cross. The loose ball falls to Papoulis but once more the centre-back gets his body in the way and repels the opposition.
27'
GREAT SAVE! Bruno Vale makes a fantastic reaction save to keep Vietto's rasping volley out of the top corner. It looked to have taken a deflection off of Joao Paulo on its way to goal too!
26'
Cani pulls out to the right and whips a decent cross into the box. However, Gerard slips as he looks to make a run to meet it and Merkis is able to head away the threat comfortably.
24'
There is another small break in play here as another Apollon player goes down with an injury. I imagine that, once more, after a little bit of treatment they will be able to continue. And that is precisely the case!
22'
The hosts are good value for their lead and after a solid start, Apollon are now being forced to defend constantly. Sangoy is having to run hard in attack and feed solely on long balls.
20'
Gabriel makes a crucial interception as Sangoy attempted to latch onto a long ball and bear down on goal. He removes the threat instantly and looks to push his team up towards the other end. It is all Villarreal at the moment!
18'
GOOOOOAAAL... no, it's been ruled out! Gerard has the ball in the back of the net once more but is adjuged to have controlled Joao Paulo's clearance with his hand before finding the net. It looks to be the correct decision from the officials.
16'
A lovely pass puts Espinosa in behind the defence but he has to shoot from an acute angle or risk losing the opportunity. He takes it on the volley and flashes the ball across the face of goal before Apollon clear the danger at the far post.
15'
Mario Gaspar enters the game and replaces A. Rukavina.
Well, having picked up that knock early on Rukavina won't be able to continue and is replaced by Mario.
13'
CLOSE! Cani lets fly with a stinging shot from in excess of 25 yards out which has a little too much elevation and arrows just high of Bruno Vale's goal. Some goal that would have been!
12'
STAT: Only once in 25 Uefa encounters has a Cypriot club defeated Spanish opponents. It occurred when Anorthosis Famagusta beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in the 1994-95 Uefa Cup.
10'
Robert manages to break into the box from the left and he hits a low shot towards the near post. Juan Carlos has his angles covered, though, and blocks the attempt with his legs.
8'
Gerard Moreno has scored a goal for Villarreal! Assist by Cani.
Victor Ruiz gets just enough of a connection on a cross from the left to stop it from falling at the feet of Lopez inside the box. Apollon look like they're going to give this game a real go tonight.
GOOOOOOAAAALL!! GERARD OPENS THE SCORING! A nice move from Villarreal sees Vietto produce a Cruyff turn to get away from his marker and pass to Cani. The Villarreal captain directs a first-time pass in behind the defence for Gerard to lash the ball between the legs of the keeper!
6'
Ruakvina is waved back onto the field by the referee and looks more than capable of continuing in the action. Hopefully we can get through a few minutes without someone dropping down with injury now!
5'
It has been a very bitty start to the game as now Rukavina is down and in need of treatment following a coming together with Lopez. There didn't seem to be a lot in it but he is forced off the pitch after being checked over by the medical staff.
3'
Play continues but after a bit more treatment Joao Paulo is able to return to the pitch and continue in the game. Apollon attempt to forge an attack down the right but Papoulis' wayward ball gifts possession to the hosts.
2'
Joao Paulo has stayed down after crashing into a camera just beyond the byline as he protected the ball from Vietto and shepherded it out of play. It was a nice pass from Cani to set the Argentine away, but the Apollon defender requires treatment from the medical staff.
1'
We are underway at El Madrigal!
Hello and welcome to this evening's live text commentary on the Europa League Group A clash between Villarreal and Apollon Limassol at El Madrigal. The Cypriot side sit at the top of the table following their 3-2 win over Zurich on matchday one, while the Yellow Submarine drew 1-1 with Borussia Monchengladbach. My name is Tom Webber, and I will be guiding you through all the action tonight!
Apollon Limassol have failed to win in four meetings with Spanish opposition, drawing two and losing two. Their first trip to Spain ended in one of their worst results in European comeptition as Diego Maradona inspired Barcelona to an 8-0 win in the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup of 1982-83.
VILLARREAL TEAM NEWS: Marcelino makes six changes from the team that suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Real Madrid on Saturday. Ikechukwu Uche, Mateo Musacchio and goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo are among those rested.
Villarreal (4-4-2): Juan Carlos; Rukavina, Gabriel, Ruiz, Marin; Espinosa, Bruno, J. dos Santos, Cani; Gerard, Vietto.
Villarreal bench: Asenjo, Mario, Cheryshev, Dorado, Trigueros, Dos Santos, Uche.
Apollon (4-4-2): Bruno Vale; Stylianou, Merkis, Joao Paulo, Vasiliou; Papoulis, Hamdani, Meriem, Robert; Lopez, Sangoy.
Villarreal fans may remember Apollon striker Gaston Sangoy, who leads the line for the Cypriot side tonight. The Argentine striker scored twice against the Yellow Submarine whilst on loan at Sporting Gijon between 2010 and 2013.
We've got just under 10 minutes to go until kick off, so be sure to stick around for more Europa League action!
APOLLON TEAM NEWS: Christos Christoforou adds four fresh faces to the side that started the 4-0 victory over Othellos at the weekend. Dustley Mulder, Angelis Angeli and Thuram take their place on the bench while former Villarreal youth player, Marcos Gullon, misses out due to suspension.
The teams are making their way out onto the pitch and the game will commence in just a few moments!
HALF TIME - Villarreal 2-0 Apollon: The Spaniards were in complete control in the opening half and take a two-goal lead into the break, though it could have been more! Gerard and Espinosa got the goals while the visitors have been limited to sporadic and weak attacks on the break. Join me in 15 minutes for the second half!
Welcome back! The teams are back out on the pitch and the second half will begin in just a few moments!
FULL TIME - Villarreal 4-0 Apollon: It was a walk in the park for the Yellow Submarine, as doubles from Gerard and Espinosa see them displace the Cypriot side at the top of Europa League Group A. It never looked in doubt after the hosts took the lead with just eight minutes on the clock.
That is it from me, Tom Webber, for this evening. Thanks a lot for joining me!
Commentary
More…