Everton face uphill battle as Figueroa spurs Villarreal win

Everton 1 Villarreal 1

The 24-year-old striker chalked up only one appearance in England after being signed in 2003 for £2.5 million from Rosario in his native Argentina.

Figueroa never got to grips with life at St Andrews but re-ignited his career first in Mexico and then in Spain.

He made the breakthrough in this third qualifying round first leg game after 27 minutes to put Villarreal in the driving seat. Everton, back in Europe after a 10-year gap, were stunned but pulled level through James Beattie in the 42nd minute.

However, the Spanish side regained the lead in first half stoppage time through Josico to leave them in pole position going into the return leg.

The old ground was packed to the rafters and a sea of noise echoed around the stands from start to finish.

Everton were not found wanting when it came to work rate and commitment. They finished fourth in the table, after all, against all the odds.

But at this level, that is never enough and Villarreal looked a quality team even though this was also their first taste of the Champions League.

Former Manchester United midfielder Phil Neville made his debut while David Weir and Beattie were both in Everton’s starting line up, as Per Kroldrup and Marcus Bent were suffering from slight knocks.

Everton almost went ahead when Alessandro Pistone delivered a cross from the left but Beattie could not get enough of a touch.

The Spanish side look a bit rattled but broke forward after 15 minutes only for former Man United striker Diego Forlan to fire over the bar. Two minutes later, Marcos Senna sent his effort over the top for the visitors.

Forlan was booked for tripping his former team-mate Neville before Villarreal took the lead. Figueroa fired a shot across goalkeeper Nigel Martyn and into the corner following a good ball from Marcos Senna. The home supporters were stunned, knowing how crucial away goals are.

Everton were finding it hard to break the opposition down but pushed forward in the 36th minute only for Tim Cahill to head over following a cross from Mikel Arteta.

Then, out of the blue, they drew level after Neville launched a long ball into the area. Goalkeeper Mariano Barbosa seemed slow to react and Beattie toe-poked his effort into the net to stun the Spaniards.

Everton’s relief at drawing level lasted only minutes with Villarreal regaining the lead in first half stoppage time. Beattie failed to pick up Josico and he headed home after a cross from Juan Pablo Sorin.

There was a look of disbelief on manager David Moyes’ face after some bad defending by his side.

Everton were fired up at the start of the second half and Beattie sent Kilbane clear after 52 minutes but his first touch let him down.

Moyes decided to ring the changes in the 62nd minute bringing on Bent and Ferguson for Beattie and Kilbane.

Villarreal knew they would have their work cut out but they continued to break down the home side at the back. They also looked dangerous on the counter-attack and Forlan tried his luck on goal in the 71st minute only to see his effort go marginally over the top.

Moyes then brought on James McFadden for Alessandro Pistone in the hope he would provide the right kind of service for Bent and Ferguson.

Joseph Yobo could have pulled them level a minute before the final whistle only to direct a header wide following a corner from Cahill.

Ferguson was then off balance as Arteta’s corner came in and Everton now face an uphill task on the Spanish coast in a fortnight after slipping up on home turf.

EVERTON: Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Weir, Pistone (McFadden 80), Cahill, Arteta, Neville, Davies, Kilbane (Ferguson 62), Beattie (Bent 63).

VILLARREAL: Barbosa, Rodriguez, Quique Alvarez, Javi Venta, Arruabarrena, Riquelme, Josico, Senna, Sorin (Pena 89), Forlan (Guayre 85), Figueroa (Tacchinardi 65).

Referee: Tom Ovrebo (Norway).