Deadly Rossi Edges Villarreal Past Numancia

Villarreal 2-1 Numancia
Villarreal clinched a crucial three points this afternoon against struggling Numancia to secure just their second win since November in the Primera Division.
This was a clash between two sides desperate for three points, with Villarreal looking to end their dismal run and Numancia requiring points to escape the Primera Division drop zone.
Giuseppi Rossi returned from injury to partner Joseba Llorente up front for Manuel Pellegrini's side, while Numancia opted for Gorka Brit through the centre with the impressive Jose Barkero just in behind.
First Half
Villarreal have found goals hard to come by in recent weeks, but with arguably their first-choice strike pairing of Llorente and Rossi back together they caused Numancia problems from the very beginning. Rossi inparticular looked dangerous, and on eleven minutes fired a warning shot that goalkeeper Juan Pablo Colinas did well to beat away.However, Numancia did not heed the warning that the Italian had given them, and on sixteen minutes he made them pay. The former Manchester United man fashioned an opening in the area and drilled a low shot with his left foot into the corner of the net. Much to the relief of the fans, and coach Pellegrini, Villarreal had got an early goal to settle them down.
The home side continued their dominance, with Llorente being denied twice by Colinas, but once again Los Submarinos Amarillos could not convert their chances and kill the game off, and they would live to regret those misses moments later.
On forty minutes, Carlos Aranda was played in by Jose Barkero and the midfielder slotted the ball home to draw Numancia level, with only their second effort on goal of the match. Once more Villarreal's defensive frailties were all too evident, and their inability to hold onto a lead had once again put them under pressure.
Second Half
With the match all square, the second half was destined to be crucial in the seasons of both sides, with a draw not an ideal result for either in their respective causes.
Villarreal were once again in the ascendency, having far more possession and opportunities on goal, and it was well deserved when they finally regained their lead midway through the second period.
It was that man Giuseppe Rossi once more. The young forward has recently refuted claims that his side rely too heavily on his goals to win matches, but once again today he was instrumental in everything positive that the home side managed to create.
He instinctively prodded the ball home from close range after good work by Llorente, and restore the lead that they had carelessly relinquished in the first half.
In truth, Villarreal should have won this match far more comfortably than the scoreline suggests, and on another day Llorente could have had a hat-trick had it not been for a combination of sloppy finishing and inspired goalkeeping from Colinas.
This time however, Villarreal were not going to let this lead slip, and held out to put paid to a dismal run of form, whilst moving level on points with Valencia in the race for that fourth spot and Champions League football next season.
For Numancia however, it remains worrying times, and their relegation plight is now more serious than ever.
Goals:
Villarreal:Rossi (16', 68')
NumanciaCarlos Aranda (41')
Teams:
Villarreal: Lopez, Godin, Gonzalo, Capdevilla, Angel, Eguren (Pires 66'), Senna, Cani, Ibagaza (Cazorla 64'), Rossi, Llorente
Numancia: Colinas, Boris, Raul Bravo, Domingo, Juanra, Palacios, Dimas, Brit, Barkero (Llorens 77'), Carlos Aranda, Del Pino (Mario 77')