VILLARREAL, Spain – Villarreal ended a 10-game winless run on Monday by scoring three second-half goals to beat Sporting Gijon 3-0 in the Spanish league.
Striker Marco Ruben marked his return from injury with a 57th-minute opening goal, before midfielder Borja Valero’s powerful shot beat goalkeeper Juan Pablo moments later. Bruno Soriano added the last in stoppage time.
Villarreal hasn’t won since beating Real Betis on Nov. 19, exiting the Champions League and Copa del Rey and in the middle of a relegation fight going into the second half of the season. Villarreal and Granada have one point more than 19th-place Sporting.
Villarreal was without Brazil striker Nilmar, who is reportedly finalizing a move to join Sao Paulo.
