Valencia 1 - Sevilla 0

Valencia: Palop; Garrido, Ayala, Pellegrino, Fabio Aurelio; Baraja, Albelda; Rufete (Reveillère 82'), Aimar, Vicente (Carboni 65'); Carew (Mista 70'). 4-2-3-1.
Sevilla: Notario; Redondo, Javi Navarro, Pablo Alfaro, David; Torrado (Gallardo 54'), Samways; Njegus (Víctor Salas 46'), Marcos Vales, Arteaga; Toedtli (Antoñito 75'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Valencia: Palop for Cañizares / Sevilla: Pablo Alfaro, Samways, Njegus, Arteaga for Oscar, Casquero, Reyes, Fredi.

Goals:
1-0. 33. Aimar. Chested down pass in from Baraja and shot across keeper.

A single goal from Pablo Aimar in the first half was enough to give Valencia a 1-0 victory over Sevilla. The Argentine midfielder controlled a pass from Baraja and beat Notario on the turn to ensure a first league win in the Mestalla stadium since the first week of December and consolidate their third position. The Andalucians had turned up looking for a point, with Caparrós resting a couple of his key players thinking of next Wednesday's cup quarter final at Osasuna, but only a reflex save from Palop (once again replacing the suspended Cañizares) stopped the visitors from taking an early lead. Valencia felt they should have had penalties either side of half time after Carew and then Vicente were brought down in the area, and Carew and Mista both had chances later in the second half. However Notario and his well organised defence stood firm (Aimar's goal was the first they have let in for four games), and they could have scored themselves on the odd breakaway. The Andalucians ended the weekend though in fourteenth place, in a group of eight teams only separated by two points. Valencia's new signing Reveillère made his debut later in the game.