Spanish La Liga: Cordoba v Villarreal

Luciano Vietto hit his eighth goal of the season in all competitions to put the visitors in charge after 24 minutes and substitute Ikechukwu Uche put the game out of Cordoba's reach with 20 minutes to go with a simple finish from a corner.

Marcelino's side are starting to look like the side that finished in the top six last season again, while things are looking bleaker and bleaker for Miroslav Djukic's men, who are still without a win since returning to the top flight.

Cordoba missed a golden opportunity to get that first win in their last outing, throwing away a two-goal lead to draw with Elche, but they never looked like getting anything here against a powerful and organised Villarreal.

The visitors took the initiative from the off, dominating possession and attacking with authority. Marcelino's side created a couple of half chances in the opening stages but took the lead with their first clear opportunity.

Gerard Moreno spread the play to the left wing with a cross field pass to Denis Cheryshev and the Russian drove forward past two defenders and into the box, cutting the ball back for Vietto to control with his back to goal and then swivel his body to fire into the far corner.

Cordoba responded immediately with their first attack of the game as Nabil Ghilas found space down the right hand side of the area, but Sergio Asenjo was able to save the Algerian international's powerful effort.

Bruno Soriano squandered a good opportunity to double Villarreal's advantage at the start of the second half after he shot wide of the near post after good build up play from Cheryshev.

Then Cordoba created another chance to equalise: Fede Cartabia played a one-two on the edge of the area and then sprinted towards goal but could only shoot straight at Asenjo from a tight angle.

Uche replaced Moreno midway through the second half and quickly wrapped up the points for Villarreal. The Nigerian was left unmarked at a corner and simply stuck out a foot to divert Jonathan dos Santos' low corner in at the near post, with Cordoba goalkeeper Juan Carlos making a grave error in leaving his near post unguarded.