Thomas Partey Shakes Off Allegations with Impressive Display for Villarreal

By Emmanuel Austin Baah On Feb 19, 2026

Ghana international Thomas Partey made a brief but influential appearance in Villarreal CF’s 1–0 away victory over Levante UD in the La Liga on Saturday evening.

The 32-year-old midfielder was introduced in the 79th minute and played the final 11 minutes of the encounter, during which he brought composure and control to Villarreal’s midfield. Partey dictated proceedings with authority, helping the visitors see out a crucial result on the road.

The former Arsenal man had been sidelined since 28 January, when he last featured in a UEFA Champions League fixture against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, a match Villarreal lost.

Despite his recent absence, Partey showed no signs of rustiness. He completed 100 per cent of his passes, including all of his attempted long balls, underlining his efficiency and experience in midfield.

The victory lifts Villarreal into the top three of La Liga, strengthening their push in the upper reaches of the table.

Author

Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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