Jan Oblak — 7.

Made a good save from Mario Gaspar in the first half but didn’t have a pile of work to do in the opening 45. Denied Gaspar again early in the second half.

Kieran Trippier — 6.5.

Whipped in a couple nice crosses in the first half and got involved by getting on the end of some Thomas Partey diagonals. Had to strike a balance between keeping an eye on the Pervis Estupiñán-Moi Gomez duo and adding something in attack. More space in the second half and held greater influence on the right.

Felipe — 7.

Solid as usual and kept Paco Alcácer quiet in the first half. Struggled in the second 45 with Lodi pushing up into a more advanced position. Had his hands full with Gerard Moreno.

Stefan Savic — 7.

Made a couple good interventions in the first half but didn’t have much scrambling to do.

Renan Lodi — 4.

Lost the ball a number of times in the first half and looked switched off. No connection with teammates and failed to make any headway during that time. Booked for a clumsy and late tackle on Moreno. Overall, not his best day in red and white.

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Thomas Partey — 6.5.

Left isolated on occasion when Villarreal played through the middle and neither Saúl or Koke were close enough to kill space. Tried some long balls early but his influence waned as the first half continued. Better in the second half but needs movement ahead of him to break lines and be adventurous with the ball at his feet.

Koke — 5.5.

Started on the right with Correa ahead of him. Failed to influence matters going forward after a semi-bright start. Always an option though, and did give Atlético Madrid control in the middle even if they didn’t use it very well.

Saúl Ñíguez — 6.

Loads of energy, as usual, but tended to be running nowhere more often than not. Played further forward in the second half but with Lodi off the pace, it was hard to create anything on the left of midfield, where he played in that second 45.

João Félix — 6.

Looked frustrated in the first half. He wants the ball and he wants it close to the penalty area but was reduced to a deep midfielder who got the ball and laid it off. It didn’t get any better from there. His face said it all when Diego Simeone removed him with 15 minutes left and with Atlético looking for a goal.

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Angel Correa — 5.5.

Barely touched the ball in the first half. Improved in the second half but only marginally. Moved centrally and tried to provide energy through the middle. Poor showing from the Argentine.

Luis Suárez — 4.

Another rough game after the Huesca draw midweek. Had one shot in the first half but did nothing aside from that. Similar in the second half, when he shot once from miles outside the box and it went well wide. Frustrated, lacking fitness and some concern growing over his role in this side.

Substitutes

Yannick Carrasco — 6.5.

Entered with Atlético coming into the game. Made a few dangerous runs and delivered a few dangerous balls behind Villarreal’s defence.

Marcos Llorente — 7.

A lively performance. Not given much time but at least looked like breaking lines and forcing defenders to chase him.

Diego Costa — 6.5.

Didn’t have any luck but was in the mixer, as they say, looking to make something happen. Might have got on the end of one of the deliveries five years ago. Not bad, but not great either.

Hector Herrera — N/A.

Replaced Félix as a conservative move with Atlético getting on top slowly. Herrera brought on the add solidity that Simeone felt his side might have lost with the triple change earlier in the game. Didn’t have much time but did well to offer control in the middle.