Celta Vigo 3 - Villarreal 1

Celta: Cavallero; Coira, Cáceres, Berizzo, Sylvinho; Luccin, Giovanella (Vagner 84'); Jesuli, Edu, Gustavo López (Juanfran 71'); Catanha (McCarthy 89'). 4-2-3-1.
Villarreal: Reina; Berruet (Javi Venta 60'), Ballesteros, Unai, Galván (Aranda 69'); Belletti, Josico, Xavi Gracia (Calleja 46'), Jorge López; Víctor, Palermo. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Celta: Coira, Jesuli, Gustavo López for Méndez, Vagner, Coudet / Villarreal: Ballesteros, Galván, Xavi Gracia for Quique Alvarez, Arruabarrena, Galca.

Goals:
1-0. 01. Catanha. Climbed above defence to head home Gustavo López free kick.
2-0. 07. Edu. Ran on to shoot into top corner of net.
2-1. 44. Palermo. Header past Cavallero from Víctor free kick.
3-1. 63. Jesuli. Took Catanha pass to beat keeper from six yards out.

Celta made sure of fourth place going in to the Christmas break with a 3-1 win over Villarreal. After the defeat of their "international" side the week before, Lotina drafted in two Spaniards to his line up, with Jesuli coming in for Coudet and Coira replacing Méndez, who is expected to be out for several months with a serious knee injury. The Gallicians were two up after just seven minutes, Catanha heading home a Gustavo López free kick with seconds on the clock and Edu intercepting Unai's pass to charge through and shoot into the roof of the net.

Edu could have scored two more before the break, particularly from a low header which he put wide with the goal gaping in front of him. The visitors though started to look better, with Cavallero having to save from Jorge López, and on the stroke of half time they pulled one back with an excellent header from Palermo following Víctor's free kick. Cavallero was almost caught out by a deflected cross after the break, but Celta went further in front when Catanha won the ball off Unai on the right wing and crossed in for Jesuli to stroke the ball past Reina. The defeat leaves Floro's side in seventeenth place, only just ahead of Rayo Vallecano thanks to a better goal difference. .