Overview

• Pablo Barrios put Atlético ahead in the ninth minute from a back-heel assist by Julián Álvarez after a high-press turnover.
• Nico González doubled the lead with a 52nd-minute header from a Marcos Llorente cross in his official debut.
• Álvarez was substituted at halftime for Alexander Sorloth as Diego Simeone managed minutes before a busy week.
• Villarreal threatened before the break with a free kick off the crossbar but suffered their first league defeat of the season.
• The victory lifted Atlético to ninth in LaLiga on five points, with Liverpool next in the Champions League and Villarreal visiting Tottenham.