Olympique de Marseille, far superior, thrashed Villarreal (4-0) on Thursday, virtually securing their spot in the Europa League quarter-finals.

The Spanish side, fielding an unusual starting lineup, gifted the first half, conceding three goals. In the second half, they improved after substitutions but still conceded another goal and lost Alberto Moreno to a red card and Francis Coquelin to a concussion.

Marcelino surprised with a lineup full of rotations and a defense without any pure full-backs, as Mandi and Cuenca, two converted center-backs, filled the flanks.

Empowered by the home crowd, Marseille took control of the game from the start against an unrecognizable Villarreal side that relied solely on individual efforts from Ilias Akhomach in attack.

The French team, much more physical and intense, gained confidence with the ball thanks to the mobility of Harit and Ndiaye in midfield and the depth provided by their full-backs.

Villarreal, lacking control, began to bleed on the flanks. A cross from Clauss was tapped in by Veretout almost from the goal line, giving Marseille the lead midway through the first half.

The goal stunned Marcelino's team, which shortly after found themselves down again as Mosquera's attempted clearance from a Harit cross ended up in his own net.

With Guedes and Baena invisible, Villarreal collapsed defensively, and Reina prevented the third goal after a mistake in ball distribution, denying Ndiaye's shot.

Marseille sensed their opponent's weakness and found the third goal just before halftime, with Aubameyang converting a penalty won by Mosquera.

Marcelino revitalized his team with a triple substitution at halftime, bringing on Alberto Moreno, Parejo, and Sorloth. Villarreal, with a more rational setup, showed signs of improvement in the opening minutes, seeking a goal to stay in the tie with a couple of dangerous chances.

Their energy lasted only ten minutes, as Marseille, who had threatened earlier with a Ndiaye shot, scored the fourth goal on the counterattack, brilliantly chipped in by Aubameyang.

Villarreal's hopes plummeted further after Alberto Moreno's dismissal, who received two yellow cards in just 21 minutes, leaving his team with ten men.

The game turned into a nightmare for Marcelino's side and a one-sided affair for Marseille, who almost scored a fifth through a double attempt by Sarr, brilliantly saved by Reina.

With everything against them, Villarreal had no ambition other than to avoid a more embarrassing defeat and let the minutes pass, accepting a result that requires a monumental effort in the second leg at La Cerámica to stay alive in Europe.