Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil says their defeat to Villarreal will be good for them.
Santi Comesana and Alexander Sorloth (2) struck for Villarreal, with Mikel Merino netting for the hosts.
Imanol said: "Villarreal have been better and have been successful where they need to be more successful, which is in the areas, and that is why they won the game. I congratulate Villarreal for their great defensive work and their success in front of goal.
"At this moment it is when I stand up for my players, because their attitude is very great. I don't know if more bad things can happen to us.
"But I think that this defeat is going to be good for us, it is going to make us stronger. But it is a shame about the losses, the one in Turrientes in the morning, Barrenetxea's just started, let's see what Hamari has, Merino just arrived and that's why he only played half an hour, Igor has the blow to his nose... let's see how we get to Tuesday, but I think this week it's going to be good for us."
