Sergio García and Cabrera pave the way for Eder Sarabia

Interim manager Sergio García led Espanyol to a vital 1-0 win over Villarreal, with academy players impressing and new signing Eder Sarabia watching from the stands.

Espanyol bounced back from a difficult week that saw manager Manolo González depart, with interim boss Sergio García overseeing an impressive victory against Champions League side Villarreal at La Cerámica on Friday.

García, working with the first team after minimal preparation, fielded several academy prospects including debutants Alejandro Santiago and Jan Peries, who impressed alongside goalscorer Lele Cabrera. The win lifted Espanyol out of the relegation zone and marked their first victory in six matches across league and cup competitions.

New signing Eder Sarabia watched from the stands as the squad demonstrated character and tactical discipline. The performance vindicated the academy's development pathway, with several academy graduates featuring prominently in a team that showed personality and courage against a top-tier opponent.