- Taiwan questions two in probe into Hezbollah pagers
- Viral Korean Olympic shooter scores first acting role as assassin
- Farrell set for 'challenge' of downing Bordeaux in Top 14
- Springbok Etzebeth diverts attention from looming caps record
- Inter on a high ahead of Milan derby as Napoli face Juve test
- Bank of Japan leaves key interest rate unchanged
- Arnold quits after six years in charge of Australia
- Asian markets track Wall Street record to extend global rally
- Guirassy and Anton to return to Stuttgart with new side Dortmund
- Marseille bidding to continue 'almost perfect' Ligue 1 start
- Arnold quits as coach of Australia men's football team
- Harris and Oprah hold star-studded US election rally
- Allies to remember failed WWII parachute operation
- Perez leading new-look Villarreal charge against leaders Barca
- Man City face Arsenal in Premier League title showdown, Postecoglou under pressure
- Fake celebrity endorsements, snubs plague US presidential race
- Documentary brings Argentine 'death flights' to the big screen
- Strike shows challenge to Boeing 'reset' of labor relations
- World leaders to gather at UN as crises grow and conflicts rage
- How plastic pollution poses challenge for Canada marine conservation
- Scientists track plastic waste in pristine Canada marine park
- South Africa's Buhai grabs LPGA Queen City lead
- Japan inflation firms to 2.8% ahead of BoJ rate decision
- Russia's Kadyrov accuses Musk of 'remotely disabling' his Cybertruck
- Titan sub had to abort a dive days before fatal implosion: testimony
- Ohtani makes MLB history with first 50-homer, 50-steal season
- Ohtani eyes MLB history after surpassing 50 stolen bases, 49 homers
- Ohtani eyes MLB history after surpassing 50 stolen bases
- Barca downed by Monaco as Arsenal held in Champions League stalemate
- Head's 'good night at office' after century seals win over England
- Dubois seeks legitimacy with Joshua scalp
- Rate cut could lift consumer spirits before US elections
- Last-gasp Gimenez strike sends Atletico past Leipzig
- Barca stumble at Monaco after early red card
- Raya heroics save Arsenal in Champions League opener at Atalanta
- Cathay Airbus engine fire linked to cleaning: EU regulator
- Guardians beat Twins to secure MLB playoff berth
- Jihadist attack in Mali capital killed more than 70: security sources
- Alonso hails 'efficient' Leverkusen after Feyenoord rout
- Head's hundred seals Australia win over England in 1st ODI
- Ex-Man United striker Anthony Martial joins AEK Athens
- NFL unbeatens meet as Texans visit Vikings, Steelers host Chargers
- Head's hundred seals Australia win over England in 1st ODI after Labuschagne strikes
- Dream debut for Wirtz as Leverkusen thump dire Feyenoord
- Myanmar flood death toll climbs to 293: state media
- Israel army says West Bank air strike kills 4 militants
- LIV golfers get green light for US Ryder Cup team, PGA Championship
- US accuses social media giants of 'vast surveillance'
- Ten Hag to bed Hojlund, Mount in carefully when they return for Man Utd
- Breaking bad as McIlroy endures 'weird' day
Perez leading new-look Villarreal charge against leaders Barca
Villarreal lost a handful of key players this summer but new arrival Ayoze Perez has helped them thrive ahead of the visit of La Liga leaders Barcelona on Sunday.
Only the Catalans have earned more points than the unbeaten Yellow Submarine, who are tied on 11 with champions Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona, with a perfect record of five wins from five games, are four points ahead but face a difficult test at the Estadio de la Ceramica, a short journey down Spain's east coast.
Perez, part of the Spain squad which won Euro 2024, joined Villarreal in August from Real Betis.
After losing striker Alexander Sorloth to Atletico Madrid, the second-top scorer in Spain last season, Marcelino Garcia Toral's side put their faith in Perez and it is already paying dividends.
The 31-year-old striker netted a last-gasp winner against Real Mallorca last weekend and also struck the equaliser in a draw with Valencia and a later decider against Sevilla -- three strikes putting him one behind the top scorer, Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski.
"I'm still adapting, learning better about the (coach's) ideas, and my team-mates," said Perez.
"I'm seeing as I go what it is the team want from me -- confidence rises with goals and I have to continue like this."
The striker said he feels happy and valued at Villarreal, an apparent dig at his former side.
"Everything happens for a reason, Villarreal came for me strongly, valuing me a lot as a footballer, giving me the importance I deserved," Perez told DAZN.
"I'm happy with the change, to be here, how things have turned out and the very strong start."
Villarreal also made other adroit moves in the transfer market, with Diego Conde, Sergi Cardona, Logan Costa and other arrivals making solid starts.
With Barcelona away at Monaco in the Champions League on Thursday, Villarreal can try to take advantage of the Catalans' potential fatigue.
Ayoze will be given support by playmaker Alex Baena and former Barcelona winger Ilias Akhomach, who moved to Villarreal last season.
"It is always difficult to face Barca, they are the leaders of La Liga, but we have clear ideas and we are working on them so that they come true in the match," said Akhomach, admitting it was a special match for him.
"I spent my entire childhood there and I have great memories -- everything I took away from the club is positive," he continued.
Barcelona are without the suspended Ferran Torres, as well as various injured star names including Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong.
Elsewhere Real Madrid host Espanyol on Saturday, while Atletico Madrid travel across the capital to face Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Player to watch: James Rodriguez
Rayo Vallecano's star signing, former Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez, could make an impact against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
The Colombian international made his Rayo debut on Monday as a substitute and should get more minutes against the Rojiblancos.
The midfielder could be just what Rayo need to break through against Diego Simeone's Atletico who have had a strong domestic opening to the campaign.
Key stats
4 - Real Madrid have been awarded four spot-kicks, ahead of Alaves on two
7 - Barcelona's Lamine Yamal leads the league on goals and assists combined
45 - Alaves's Carlos Vicente has the most top flight crosses but no assists
Fixtures
Friday (all times GMT)
Alaves v Sevilla (1900)
Saturday
Real Valladolid v Real Sociedad (1200), Osasuna v Las Palmas (1415), Valencia v Girona (1630), Real Madrid v Espanyol (1900)
Sunday
Getafe v Leganes (1200), Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (1415), Villarreal v Barcelona (1630), Rayo Vallecano v Atletico Madrid (1900)
Monday
Real Betis v Mallorca (1900)
F.Dubois--AMWN