Esteban Granero’s free-kick five minutes from time rescued a point for Espanyol at home to Villarreal to help move the Catalans away from the bottom three.
The visitors were dominant in the early stages with midfielder Pablo Fornals striking the post, before they took the lead in the 25th minute.
Rodrigo netted his first La Liga goal as he hammered home past Pau Lopez after Enes Unal’s initial effort had been blocked.
It appeared a matter of time before Villarreal’s second with Carlos Bacca rounding the goalkeeper before being crowded out, while the hosts did not manage a short on target until the 80th minute.
However, Granero’s free-kick from just outside the area soon levelled proceedings and Quique Sanchez Flores’s side nearly won it as Leo Bapistao rattled the crossbar late on.
