Ahead of this round, the 24 goals scored in Dortmund’s four matches were five more than any other side’s total, though the assistant's flag denied Tajon Buchanan’s tap-in for the visitors, bringing up the quarter-century 11 minutes in for offside.
Dortmund scored 13 of those 24, but a long-range Marcel Sabitzer drive midway through the half, which went straight at Luiz Junior, was their only real effort in response.
Having drawn a blank in three of their previous four UCL matches, Villarreal failed to hit the target before half-time tonight.
The best of their attempts came on the half-hour when Thomas Partey squared a free-kick to Pape Gueye at the edge of the area, and his effort flew just over the top.
All the pressure late in the half was coming from the home side, and they finally got their reward on the stroke of half-time, when Daniel Svensson’s corner caused havoc on the Villarreal box, and Aaron Anselmino clipped the ball up for Serhou Guirassy to nod in from close range.
As in the opening half, the first chance after the restart saw Buchanan denied, though this time it was by Svensson’s superb block.
Minutes later, Juan Foyth attempted to be equally heroic at the other end when preventing a Karim Adeyemi shot crossing the line, but did so by using his arm.
Referee Davide Massa awarded Die Schwarzgelben a penalty and, following a VAR review, upgraded Foyth’s yellow card to a red. Guirassy’s tame spot-kick was saved by Junior, but he followed up to tuck away the rebound and double Dortmund’s lead.
Niko Kovac’s side added a third just before the hour mark, and this time Adeyemi wouldn’t be denied. A one-two with Julian Brandt helped him unlock the Villarreal defence, and when Partey tried to cover, his attempted clearance only cannoned off Adeyemi and past Junior.
With the contest long since over, Dortmund were awarded a second penalty in the final 10 minutes after Adeyemi was hauled down by Santi Comesana, only for Fabio Silva to clatter the crossbar from 12 yards.
In stoppage time, Svensson headed home Pascal Gross’ cross to put extra gloss on the scoreline for the hosts, while it’s now five trips to Germany without a win for Villarreal.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund)