New Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa, who rested a host of stars for the match, introduced all of his most experienced players in the second half in a bid to avoid an upset with the exception of Ceballos.
That has fuelled speculation over the future of the midfielder and whether he may have been rested ahead of an imminent move back to the Premier League.
Speaking to talkSPORT on Thursday, Spanish football expert Terry Gibson said: “There has been talk today in Spain that he is heading to Astov Villa so that’s the reason he didn’t get on last night.
Ceballos, who previously spent two seasons on loan with Arsenal during Unai Emery’s time in charge, could be in line for a reunion with his fellow countryman.
He made 37 appearances in his first season under Emery before securing a second campaign on loan at the Emirates Stadium and Ceballos later revealed that the Basque tactician was key to his move to England.
“I went to play at a club like Arsenal because, apart from its stature as a big club, Unai practically came to my house to tell me that he loved me as a player, that he’s been in love with me since I played for Real Betis," Ceballos said.
“The confidence of a coach is key to giving your best performance. Unai told me that I would be important with him at Arsenal, and I didn’t have any doubts about going there”
Chelsea made shock approach for Van Dijk and England stars eyed ahead of transfer splurge
A transfer this month move would be a well-timed one as far as Emery is concerned with Boubacar Kamara picking up an injury during the FA Cup victory at Tottenham Hotspur last Saturday.
Ceballos has found minutes hard to come by this season having clocked up just 367 minutes and four starts in La Liga.
But a switch to Villa might be the catalyst to reignite his career while leaving behind a Real Madrid team in disarray amid two cup defeats in three days.
The two defeats fell either side of Xabi Alonso's exit as manager on Monday evening where he was replaced by former Spain, Real Madrid and Liverpool teammate, Arbeloa.
Gibson says the chaos of the past few days have been absurd even by the 15-time Champions League winners’ standard.
“Things have escalated so quickly at Real Madrid,” he said. “This time last week they were beating Atletico Madrid in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup and looking forward to playing Barcelona in the final.
“There was no hint of Xabi Alonso leaving in the next few days.
“Their performance against Barcelona in the final was decent, it could have gone either way.
“I thought they played for the manager last week and there was no need for the managerial change.
“We saw what escalated after the game with Kylian Mbappe’s behaviour and there has been evidence of that throughout the season that maybe Xabi Alonso hasn’t had the control over the players and that was evident in that situation.”
Gibson then provided some insight into the appointment of Arbeloa and hinted that he had long been primed for the role.
“Alvaro Arbeloa taking over has irritated me a bit if I’m honest,” Gibson explained.
“He’s been mentioned all season. He’s only had that job for six months as manager of the B team.
“Raul Gonzalez left the club after six years as B team manager because he was overlooked for the [first team] manager’s job.
“Arbeloa came in and within six months he was touted non-stop.
“Xabi Alonso was even asked in a press conference just a couple of months in if he saw his job under threat from Arbeloa. Alonso was offended by that question so early into his reign.
“When Arbeloa got the job the other day you have to consider what’s been going on in the background and how he’s been cosying up to Florentino Perez.
“The player power issue is a thing, but that’s down to the president,” Gibson added.
“It’s down to him to make sure there isn’t player power. Once the players smell that they have the power over the manager, then Xabi Alonso is better off out of it to be honest.”
