Villarreal out of the Europa League after a 4-0 defeat against Marseille in the first leg

Villarreal stared down the barrel of exiting the Europa League in the last 16 after succumbing to a damaging 4-0 first leg defeat at Marseille in what was a very disappointing return to the Stade Velodrome for the coach Marcelino Garcia Toral.

Jordan Veretout put the hosts ahead on 23 minutes, and soon after, their lead was comically doubled. Yerson Mosquera couldn't find his feet fast enough, and the ball hit him and into the Villarreal net, beating the unfortunate Pepe Reina.

Marseille did not do that, and added a third in the first half. Former Barcelona forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang slotted home a penalty just before the break, just beyond Reina's reach.

Aubameyang added a fourth in the second half, and things got even worse for Villarreal when Alberto Moreno – as a half-time substitute – was sent off after 62 minutes for two bookable offences.

The return leg will take place at Ceramica next Thursday, but barring a miracle on that occasion, Villarreal Out of the Europa League, and in a very disappointing way too.