Axel Mathias Villanueva Sandoval (born August 10, 1989) is a Nicaraguan footballer who currently plays midfield for Deportivo Walter Ferretti in the Primera División de Nicaragua.
Villanueva started his career with Walter Ferretti. He joined Panamanian side Tauro for the 2014 Clausura and signed a one-year contract despite Ferreti wanting just a loan deal.
Villanueva made his debut for Nicaragua in a September 2010 friendly match against Guatemala and has, as of January 2014, earned a total of 15 caps, scoring 2 goals. He has represented his country in 2 FIFA World Cup qualification matches and played at the 2011 and 2013 Copa Centroamericana.