Salzburg's dream start to the Europa League group stage continued as they claimed the prized scalp of Villarreal.
Having shocked Lazio with a 2-1 victory in Rome in their opening Group G match, Salzburg created another stir this evening as they downed last season's Champions League quarter-finalists 2-0 thanks to goals in either half from Marc Janko and Somen Tchoyi.
Janko also scored his side's winner against Lazio three minutes into injury-time at the Stadio Olim! pico after Salzburg had fought back from a goal down.
For Villarreal, the defeat is the latest setback in a dismal start to the campaign that has seen them take just two points from their opening five Primera Division matches.
The Yellow Submarine's only success so far this season has come in Europe, when they beat Levski Sofia 1-0 in their first group match, and Ernesto Valverde's side would have been hoping the return to the Europa League would do them good.
However, despite Giuseppe Rossi going close a couple of times early on, the visitors found themselves behind inside the opening 20 minutes when Janko got on the end of Christoph Leitgeb's free-kick to slot home into the bottom corner of the net.
That would have dented Villarreal's confidence and although they tried to bounce back before the break, Salzburg held their advantage as the teams left the pitch at the interval.
The Austrian side had caused problems going forward in the firs! t half, and it was a similar story after the break with Villar! real goa lkeeper Diego Lopez doing well to twice deny Tchoyi and Janko.
Valverde threw on club record signing Nilmar for Joseba Llorente with 15 minutes remaining and the Brazil international tested home goalkeeper Eddie Gustafsson almost immediately.
It was not going to be the Primera Division outfit's night though, and Salzburg wrapped up another famous win when Tchoyi fired into the roof of the net from 12 yards following a pass from Andreas Ulmer.
Villarreal next face a testing trip to Lazio as they look to get their European campaign back on track while in-form Salzburg host group minnows Levski Sofia.
