Villarreal 0 - Espanyol 0

Villarreal: Viera; Josemi, Quique Alvarez, Peña, Arruabarrena (José Enrique 12'); Marcos Senna, Tacchinardi (Samoza 69'); Cani, José Marí (Marcos 78'), Riquelme; Diego Forlán. 4-2-3-1.
Espanyol: Kameni; Velasco, Jarque, Lacruz, Chica; Moisés Hurtado, Fredson; Rufete (Moha 56'), Corominas, De la Peña (Zabaleta 91'); Tamudo (Pandiani 86'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Villarreal: Marcos Senna for Samoza / Espanyol: Lacruz, Chica, Moisés Hurtado, Fredson, Rufete, Tamudo for Torrejón, Moha, Zabaleta, Jonatas, Luis García, Pandiani.

Goals: None.

Villarreal and Espanyol played out a scoreless draw, although it could have been different had referee Pino Zamorano not controversially ruled a last minute headed goal by Pandiani after his linesman ruled that De la Peña's corner had swung out of play.

Kameni had kept the Catalans in the game up to that point with a couple of important saves, in particular from a Marcos Senna header early in the first half and a Riquelme free kick after the restart. The Catalans had had their chances as well though, De la Peña bringing a good save out of Viera from a free kick and Fredson curling a shot wide in the first half.

The point was not a great help for either side though, Villarreal ending the weekend in midtable, three points off the European spots, with their opponents only just a point above the relegation zone. Both will be hoping to improve their positions before the end of the season.