UEFA Champions League 25/26 · 20 Jan 2026

Villarreal 1–2 AFC Ajax

Expected and what happened

Before the match, from team ratings for Dec 2025; the outlined result is what happened.

Footybot made Villarreal favourites at 73%.

AFC Ajax won a close one on the chances: 0.9 xG to 1.4.

Best on the pitch by Footybot's score: Youri Regeer, 68.6 in 54′.

Well above their usual level: Youri Regeer +19.3, Tajon Buchanan +17.2, Vítězslav Jaroš +12.6.

Each side's last five results before this match.

17 Jan 2026	L 0–2	at Real Betis LaLiga
10 Jan 2026	W 3–1	v Deportivo Alavés LaLiga
3 Jan 2026	W 3–1	at Elche LaLiga
21 Dec 2025	L 0–2	v FC Barcelona LaLiga
17 Dec 2025	L 1–2	at Real Racing Club Copa del Rey

17 Jan 2026	D 2–2	v Go Ahead Eagles Eredivisie
11 Jan 2026	W 3–2	at SC Telstar Eredivisie
20 Dec 2025	D 2–2	at NEC Nijmegen Eredivisie
14 Dec 2025	W 2–0	v Feyenoord Eredivisie
10 Dec 2025	W 4–2	at Qarabağ FK Champions League

No earlier meeting in Footybot's data.

Player	Min	G	A	xG	Score	vs usual
Dani Parejo Midfielder	16	0	0	–	90.1	–
Tajon Buchanan Midfielder	45	0	0	0.05	65.1	+17.2
Nicolas Pépé Forward	72	0	0	0.55	54.2	+5.2
Alberto Moleiro Midfielder	45	0	0	0.08	53.4	+1.1
Ayoze Pérez Forward	72	0	0	0.07	50.5	−0.1
Rafa Marín Defender	90	0	1	–	49.9	+1.0
Arnau Tenas Goalkeeper	90	0	0	–	47.1	+3.9
Gerard Moreno Forward	18	0	0	0.06	46.2	–
Georges Mikautadze Forward	18	0	0	–	46.1	–
Tani Oluwaseyi Forward	90	1	0	0.07	45.8	−2.8
Renato Veiga Defender	90	0	0	0.32	44.4	−0.6
Santi Comesaña Midfielder	90	0	0	–	40.4	−8.0
Santiago Mouriño Defender	90	0	0	–	40.3	−11.1
Thomas Partey Midfielder	74	0	0	0.03	40.0	−9.5
Sergi Cardona Defender	90	0	0	0.13	38.2	−11.0

Player	Min	G	A	xG	Score	vs usual
Oliver Valaker Edvardsen Forward	14	1	0	0.14	100.0	–
Rayane Bounida Forward	19	0	0	0.03	83.0	–
Kian Fitz-Jim Midfielder	14	0	0	0.05	72.0	–
Youri Regeer Midfielder	54	0	0	–	68.6	+19.3
Vítězslav Jaroš Goalkeeper	90	0	0	–	63.8	+12.6
Youri Baas Defender	90	0	0	–	58.6	+3.5
Mika Godts Forward	90	0	0	0.04	58.1	+3.7
Ko Itakura Defender	36	0	0	–	56.7	–
Davy Klaassen Midfielder	90	0	0	0.16	50.8	+4.8
Sean Steur Midfielder	19	0	0	–	50.1	–
Oscar Gloukh Midfielder	84	1	0	0.04	49.7	−2.6
Owen Wijndal Defender	84	0	0	0.16	48.6	+1.4
Anton Gaaei Defender	90	0	1	0.10	48.2	+2.4
Kasper Dolberg Forward	71	0	0	0.10	45.5	−1.2
Aaron Bouwman Defender	90	0	0	–	45.2	−2.4
Jorthy Mokio Midfielder	71	0	0	0.10	44.6	−3.9