Villarreal 0 - Atlético Madrid 0

Villarreal: Reina; Pedro Martí, Quique Alvarez, Coloccini, Arruabarrena; Marcos Senna (César Arzo 84'), Verza; Guayre (Calleja 25'), Víctor, Roger; Sonny Anderson. 4-2-3-1.
Atlético: Sergio Aragoneses; Gaspar, García Calvo, Lequi, Sergi; De los Santos; Aguilera (Novo 74'), Paunovic (Rodrigo 85'), Ibagaza, Nano (Jorge 46'); Fernando Torres. 4-1-4-1.

Team changes: Villarreal: Arruabarrena, Marcos Senna, Verza, Guayre, Víctor for Tena, Javi Venta, Battaglia, José Marí, Riquelme / Atlético: No change.

Goals: None.

Atlético Madrid moved up to fifth place in the table after drawing 0-0 at Villarreal, moving above Athletic who lost the day before. Despite the lack of goals it was a lively match, with Fernando Torres hitting the post early on. Pedro Martí hit the bar a few minutes later at the other end, and Sonny Anderson also hit the post before half time.

The home side were missing three players through suspension as well as several injuries, and Paquito's central midfield was made up Marcos Senna, making his first start for months after returning from injury, and B team youngster Verza. Even so they could have won it in the second half had Sergio Aragoneses not been on sparkling form, the keeper making key saves from Anderson and Arzo late on. Villarreal stay five points behind their opponents in ninth spot.