""Be careful as there is a bull loose down the road," said the friendly bartender as we supped away on a pre-match beer. She wasn't wrong. We'd pitched up for this top-of-the-table clash in the Spanish second division at exactly the right time, fiesta time. The streets were awash with a riot of colour, happy-smiley faces and a bull - the size of a bus.

As we walked up to El Madrigal we were ushered this way and that into people’s garages for free food and beer sidestepping the bull at intermittent periods as he swung a fast hoof through the narrow streets.

The visitors, Girona, added to the carnival atmosphere with 1800 travelling fans; their biggest ever away turnout for a match. We paid our €20 and got a ticket in with them for added kicks. The best vista of the city you'll get, and probably the worst view of any stadium in the country. Hey-ho.

Villarreal pulled Girona's pants down with a comfortable 4-1 win catapulting them into the box set for a place in La Liga next season. Whilst their fans shuffled back up north with their tales between their legs, we fanned out over town for more fiesta action. Football, eh?"