Liverpool has all but clinched a place in their third Champions League Final in five years, and they will almost certainly face either Manchester City or Real Madrid in Paris on May 28.
Jurgen Klopp's quadruple-chasers have a sense of destiny about them, and those who fear 'The Unbearables' taking a clean sweep of trophies have a sense of inevitability.
City are undoubtedly the only team in the Premier League or Europe capable of stopping that, as this relentlessly superb Liverpool side will undoubtedly overpower Madrid's stately side if they reach the final at the Stade de France next month.
Even if Klopp's men had to wait 53 minutes for a lucky own goal to break Unai Emery's underdogs' tough will, this semi-final first-leg was a mismatch as one-sided as Tyson Fury's defeat of Dillian Whyte.
Sadio Mane added a second soon after, and the shooting count for the Merseysiders was 19-1 in their favor.
Villarreal's entire starting lineup was less expensive than Virgil Van Dijk, and the disparity in quality was clear. They were only slightly more ambitious than Everton in the Merseyside derby on Sunday.
Klopp was even able to rest Mane for the final 20 minutes as he prepares for Liverpool's trip to Newcastle on Saturday, with the Reds only needing a point to catch Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.
Red fireworks when the team coach arrived, Spain's Yellow Submarine in The Beatles' homeland, and lovely silver songs from the Scouse larks on The Kop made for a colorful celebration.
Nobody expected a replay of the previous night's thriller in Manchester, especially with Villarreal's defense so strong and their attacking threat so limited.
Despite all the hoopla about Villarreal's English'rejects,' which included three players who were not wanted in Tottenham's starting lineup, they had been cultivating their own European legacy.
To get to Anfield, Villarreal had defeated Manchester United in the Europa League Final last season, as well as Juventus and Bayern Munich.
They're the type of overachieving smalltown club that made Liverpool's American owners and their buddies wet their pants last year and try a Super League secession.
Emery has four Europa League titles to his name, including a final victory over Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp in 2016.
Liverpool had won 12 consecutive Premier League home games, but hadn't won in the Champions League knockout stages at Anfield since their historic comeback against Barcelona in the 2019 semi-final.
However, that losing streak of four games spanning three seasons never appeared to be extended in this one.
Mane missed two early chances: first, after Ibrahima Konate won a header from a corner, the Senegalese failed to get a shot off, and then, unmarked six yards out, he fumbled a header from a Mo Salah cross.
Liverpool pressed high, shaking their opponents like a pack of hungry hounds. And, despite having a christian name that conveys a sense of urgency, Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli was waiting an eternity to take each goal-kick, enraging the crowd.
Salah darted in and blasted a shot just over the bar after a Jordan Henderson cross clattered the near post.
Rulli diverted a shot from the dangerous Luis Diaz, and Villarreal's shrewd defensive veteran Raul Albiol made a crucial block from a Salah cross, while Mane's attempt was deflected wide.
Salah steered Trent Alexander-exquisite Arnold's volleyed cross over the bar as the first half drew to a close, and Thiago Alcantara clattered the top of the post with a powerful long-ranger.
Liverpool dominated two-thirds of the possession and outshot the Spaniards 12-1, but they were unable to get through before the break.
When Emery's players attempted a rare break, Van Dijk was cautioned for a body-check on Samuel Chukwueze, but this was mostly an extended attack versus defensive drill.
Pervis Estupinan dragged Salah back on the outside of the box after the break, but Albiol - a defender in love with his craft - powered another header away.
Diaz fluffed a superb headed chance from an Alexander-Arnold center, then Fabinho had the ball in the net but his effort was ruled out due to an offside flag against Van Dijk.
But when the breakthrough came, it was out of the ordinary.
Henderson crossed from the right flank, but a big deflection off Estupinan foxed Rulli, who could only help it into his own net at full stretch.
Salah nutmegged Pau Torres with a through-ball, and Mane poked past Rulli, narrowly avoiding a tight VAR check for offside.
Soon after, Andy Robertson scored, but the goal was disallowed due to an offside flag.
However, Liverpool continued to fire shots at Villarreal's goal, and the only surprise was that they were able to seal the tie.