Sevilla 2 - Villarreal 0

Sevilla: Esteban; Daniel Alves, Javi Navarro, Alfaro, David; Martí, Torrado (Carlos 46'); Redondo, Baptista, Antonio López (Marañon 91'); Hornos (Casquero 68'). 4-2-3-1.
Villarreal: Reina; Pedro Martí, Coloccini, Ballesteros, Javi Venta; Josico, Battaglia; Víctor (Guayre 62'), Riquelme, Roger (José Marí 62'); Sonny Anderson. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Sevilla: Torrado, Hornos for Antoñito, Darío Silva / Villarreal: Pedro Martí, Javi Venta for Belletti, Arruabarrena.

Goals:
1-0. 56. Carlos. Got ahead of defence to turn Daniel Alves cross under Reina.
2-0. 76. Carlos. Picked up pass from Baptista and ran past Coloccini to score.

Sevilla took advantage of the slips by the teams above them to move to within three points of the UEFA spots after a 2-0 win over Villarreal. With Darío Silva injured and Antoñito suspended, Caparrós gave another chance to Uruguayan striker Hornos, and he brought a good save out of Reina with a fifth minute header. But the visitors could also have scored themselves before the break, Alfaro cutting out a dangerous attack from Víctor after Riquelme set him up and Esteban standing firm when Sonny Anderson broke free.

Caparrós though decided that Hornos needed more help and brought on Carlos to join him in attack. It proved to be a great move, and the diminutive striker nipped in to turn a cross from Daniel Alves past the keeper only ten minutes after coming on. Paquito responded by introducing Guayre and José Marí, the ex Sevilla forward getting a hard time from his old fans. But it was Carlos's night, and with a quarter of an hour to go he ran through on to a long Baptista pass and left Coloccini for dead before beating Reina for the second time. Sevilla have now picked up thirteen points from their last five games, and they move two points ahead of their opponents and one above city rivals Betis.