Villarreal 2 - Zaragoza 0

Villarreal: Reina; Armando Sá, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Peña (César Arzo 76'), Arruabarrena; Héctor Font, Battaglia, Marcos Senna, Riquelme (Josico 87'); José Marí (Guayre 70'), Diego Forlán. 4-4-2.
Zaragoza: Luis García; Ponzio, Alvaro, Capi, Toledo; Galletti, Movilla (Generelo 59'), Zapater, Savio (Drulic 79'); David Villa (Cani 59'), Javi Moreno. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Villarreal: Arruabarrena, Riquelme for Javi Venta, Josico, / Zaragoza: Ponzio, Capi, Toledo for Cuartero, Milito, Aranzábal.

Goals:
1-0. 42. Alvaro (own goal). Headed inswinging Riquelme corner back into own net.
2-0. 48. Forlán. Took short pass from Riquelme and rounded keeper to score.

A relieved Villarreal recorded their first league victory of the season, following up their midweek UEFA cup success by beating Zaragoza 2-0. The visitors were also on a high after their Thursday night win, and Villa and Alvaro both put Reina under pressure in the opening minutes, as did Galletti later in the half with a run past two or three defenders which ended with a shot wide of the mark.

The locals gradually took control though, inspired by Riquelme who bent a long shot just wide of the post and then set up Forlán for a shot which Luis García saved at close range. And Riquelme it was who made the break through with assists three minutes either side of half time, the first an inswinging corner which Alvaro could only head back in to his own net (the referee awarding the goal to the Argentine midfielder in his report), and the second a through ball to Forlán for him to round the keeper and score.

After that the activity level dropped, and the only action worthy of note was an injury to referee Moreno Delgado, who had to be replaced by the fourth official for the last ten minutes or so.