First Division - Day 37

Villarreal 3 - Valencia 1

Villarreal: Diego López; Javi Venta (Ángel 59'), Gonzalo, Godín, Capdevila; Cani, Eguren, Ibagaza (Bruno 24'), Pires; Llorente (Guille Franco 71'), Rossi. 4-4-2.
Valencia: César; Miguel, Raúl Albiol, Maduro (Del Horno 75'), Alexis; Baraja (Edu 84'), Marchena; Joaquín (Morientes 62'), Mata, Pablo Hernández; David Villa. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Villarreal: No change / Valencia: Marchena, Joaquín for Albelda, Edu.

Goals:
1-0. 15. Llorente. Controlled Javi Venta cross and beat César with shot on turn.
2-0. 31. Llorente. Far post header near to goal from Javi Venta's long cross.
2-1. 41. David Villa. At second attempt after hitting post from Mata's cross.
3-1. 67. Cani. Drove shot inside near post after Pires laid ball in to his path.

Yellow cards: Capdevila 34', Albiol 36', Maduro 48', Alexis 50', Morientes 88', Mata 90'.

Villarreal made sure of a place in Europe next season, and are still in with a chance of returning to the Champions League after a 3-1 win over neighbours Valencia on Saturday. Llorente put Pellegrini's side two up in the first half hour, both from Javi Venta assists, but David Villa (who had already brought the save of the day out of Diego López) got one back after Mata set him up before half time.

Cani restored the two goal lead however midway through the second half, and the visitors hardly caused any problems for the local defence after that. A win in Mallorca next week coupled with a defeat for Atlético Madrid will see Villarreal up to fourth spot, but otherwise they will be playing in the newly named Europa Cup.

Valencia stay sixth and now have to wait for the last day to see if they join their opponents in that competition, although a draw against Athletic Bilbao next weekend will keep them ahead of seventh placed Deportivo, over whom they have a better head-to-head average.