There was no shortage of bluster from either side, with the opening minutes more memorable for fouls and breakdowns in play.
But despite Osasuna being the clear form team coming into this one, first blood went to Villarreal 17 minutes in, when Javi Galan fouled Nicolas Pepe inside the box. Moreno converted the subsequent spot-kick, sending Sergio Herrera the wrong way.
Yet, far from dwelling on their deficit, Osasuna hit back immediately. A promising counter downfield was cut short when Alfonso Pedraza fouled Victor Munoz near the edge of the box.
Raul Garcia’s inswinging free-kick caught out the entire Villarreal defence, and Munoz himself pounced to send a bullet of a header into the net.
However, Villarreal soon regained some of their attacking threat, and Alberto Moleiro had the next big chance, as Herrera dived to keep out a menacing header.
That paid dividends in the second minute of stoppage time too, as an exquisite show of technique saw Jon Moncayola loft a cross into the area for the Pamplona side’s ever-reliable talisman Ante Budimir to make it five goals in as many meetings against Villarreal.
The second half didn’t often look like living up to the exciting standards set by the first. For both sides, the final ball needed to swing the pendulum towards them was lacking, with only a wayward shot from Raul Moro doing anything to get the home faithful excited.
Indeed, the longer the second half went on, the more tense Osasuna fans and players alike became. Villarreal were subtly taking control, and they levelled in the 70th minute via a Pepe corner, which Moreno met to nod in to the far corner of the net.
As is the way in a game of little finesse and plenty of passion, the opportunity for a late winner was very much there. A ball across goal from the Villarreal right could have spelt danger for Osasuna, but with nobody there to convert, the points would ultimately be shared.
In turn, it’s now just two wins in 10 for the Yellow Submarine, though they will end January with at least a seven-point cushion in fourth place. As for Osasuna, this result sees them inch slightly closer to safety, though they are still just five points clear of 18th-placed Mallorca.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Gerard Moreno (Villarreal)