Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey made his debut for Villarreal on Sunday, August 10, 2025, in the club’s final preseason friendly against Premier League side Aston Villa. He was introduced in the 73rd minute of the game, which Villarreal ultimately lost 2-0.
While he was unable to change the outcome, his presence brought a measure of stability to the midfield, helping to maintain the 2-0 scoreline.
The match, held at the Estadio de la Ceramica, saw Villa manager Unai Emery return to his former club and secure a victory with goals from Ollie Watkins and Emi Buendia. The result gave Villa a final pre-season record of four wins, two draws, and two defeats before their Premier League opener against Newcastle United.
The Transfer and Charges Against Thomas Partey
The 32-year-old Ghana international joined the La Liga club after his contract with Arsenal expired at the end of June. Partey had a five-year tenure with the Gunners, having signed from Atletico Madrid in 2020 for £45 million. During his time at Arsenal, he made 167 appearances across all competitions, scoring 9 goals and providing 7 assists. His move to Villarreal came with a financial sacrifice, as he was reportedly earning £200,000 per week at Arsenal.
Four days after his release from Arsenal, Partey was charged with five counts of rape against two women and a charge of sexual assault against a third woman. He has denied the charges and was granted conditional bail on Tuesday at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. The conditions of his bail include not contacting any of the three women and notifying police of any permanent changes of address or international travel.
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In response to the charges, which followed an investigation that began in February 2022, Villarreal released a statement. The club acknowledged the ongoing legal proceedings but affirmed its respect for the “fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence” and stated it would await the outcome of the judicial process.
The signing has been met with public backlash, with nearly 1,000 supporters signing a petition organized by the online content hub, the Villarreal Report, to protest Partey’s arrival. Despite this, the club reiterated its “strong commitment to respect and diversity” and “firmly condemns any act of violence in all its forms.”
Thomas Partey, who is due to appear at the Old Bailey on September 2, joined up with his new club on Friday, just days after Villarreal’s 3-2 friendly victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
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