Gareth Bale starts for Real Madrid as they look to reclaim top spot in La Liga from arch rivals Barcelona.
Bale has been out with an ankle problem but made his return last week in the victory over Espanyol, where he scored.
He was used off the bench again in the mid-week 2-1 defeat to Valencia but this time he starts as Real chase the win they need to get back to the top of the table.
It is the first time that Bale has started next to Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo since November 2.
Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 earlier on Sunday to move two points ahead of Real at the top.
Even if Real were to lose tonight they still have one more game in hand that could see them move back to the summit.
Villarreal stick with their 4-4-2 with Adrian partnering Cedric Bakambu up front.
Teams
Real Madrid - Keylor Navas - Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo - Casemiro, Kroos, Modric - Bale, Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo
Villarreal - Asenjo - Mario, Musacchio, Víctor Ruiz, Jaume Costa - Castillejo, Trigueros, Bruno, Dos Santos - Adrián, Bakambu