Atlético Madrid secured their first LaLiga win of the season as goals from Pablo Barrios and Nico González sank Villarreal 2-0 at the Metropolitano Stadium.
Barrios fired Atlético into an early lead and González’s header early in the second half ensured Villarreal slipped to their first defeat of the season.
Atlético, who had drawn their previous two matches after an opening-day defeat at Espanyol, made all the early running and were rewarded when Spain midfielder Barrios fired into the bottom corner after Julián Álvarez’s assist.
Villarreal had begun the day in fourth place after back-to-back home wins against Real Oviedo and Girona were followed by a 1-1 draw at Celta Vigo in their previous match.
The visitors went close to an equaliser in first-half stoppage time when Nicolas Pepe’s excellent free kick struck the crossbar and Sergi Cardona’s effort was well saved by home goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
But Atletico took control soon after the restart when González headed home their second from Marcos Llorente’s cross.
Renato Veiga’s shot was blocked in the closing stages as Villarreal looked for a way back into the game and Santi Comesaña headed narrowly wide in time added on, but the visitors were denied further chances as Atlético’s victory lifted them up to ninth place in the table.