A derby lost in stoppage time
Valencia had the numbers and still lost. According to [1], they went down 2-1 at home to Villarreal, conceding the winning goal at 96’ despite playing against ten men after Pape Gueye was sent off. A numerical advantage that should have helped Valencia see out the game or push for more ended with them beaten at Mestalla.
Villarreal came back from behind in the match. [2] says the left-back was man of the match and scored his first La Liga goal, the equaliser that began the turnaround. For Valencia, the result was another setback at home. The same Marca report notes that they have won only once in their last nine league matches at Mestalla, a run that has taken away much of the home advantage the stadium should give them.
The late concession matters as much as the defeat itself. Valencia were not outplayed by a full-strength opponent. They lost control of a game in which the opposition was a man short, and that is the kind of detail that tends to weigh on a squad already short of confidence.
A new coach still finding his feet
The defeat came during a change of leadership. [1] reports that Javier Aguirre took over from Carlos Corberán about a month ago and has managed three matches so far. That is a very small sample, and it would be unfair to judge his approach on it, but the early evidence is not what a new-coach bounce looks like.
The broader picture is one of a side that has struggled to turn possession and chances into points. Valencia’s recent league results, newest first, read a 1-2 loss to Villarreal, a 0-0 draw with Athletic Club, a 2-2 draw away at Racing de Santander, a 2-3 home loss to Real Sociedad and a 1-0 win at Alavés. That is one win, two draws and two defeats in the last five, with the draws showing some resilience and the home defeats showing the opposite.
Aguirre’s task is therefore twofold. He has to tighten a defence that has conceded 17 goals in 10 league games, and he has to find a way to protect results in the closing minutes. Both problems showed up against Villarreal.
Elliott suspended, Otorbi hurt
The derby also cost Valencia personnel. Marca reports that Harvey Elliott was sent off in the 93rd minute of the defeat, so he is likely to miss the next match. The red card came in stoppage time, after the game had effectively slipped away, and it removes an option from Aguirre for the trip to Elche.
The injury news is more uncertain. [3] says winger David Otorbi suffered a muscle injury against Villarreal and left the pitch, with early forecasts pointing to an absence of more than a month. The club has not yet confirmed that, and a medical report is pending, so the timeline should be treated with caution.
The timing is awkward, because the same report says Valencia have extended Otorbi’s contract to June 2031, bringing forward a renewal that had already been agreed. The club has shown it values him long term, but in the short term Aguirre may have to plan without a winger for several matches. With Elliott likely suspended and Otorbi possibly out for weeks, the attacking options for the next fixtures look thinner than they did a week ago.
What it means
The table is stark. Valencia are 19th in La Liga with 6 points from 10 games, a record of one win, three draws and six defeats. They have scored 7 and conceded 17, a goal difference of -10. The goals-against column is the bigger concern, and the stoppage-time loss to Villarreal fits that pattern.
The form line does not offer much comfort either. Only one of the last five league games was won, and the two most recent home matches produced a goalless draw and a defeat. Valencia are not creating enough to make up for the goals they give away, and the Mestalla record of one win in nine means the next home games will not be easy either.
The next fixture is Elche v Valencia on 1 November. It asks whether Aguirre can organise a side without Elliott, probably, and perhaps without Otorbi, to take points on the road. Valencia’s recent away results, a win at Alavés and a draw at Racing de Santander, show they can get something away from home. The site’s forecast for the match locks 24 hours before kick-off, so it will reflect the team news available then.
