Betis 2 - Villarreal 1

Betis: Doblas; Melli, Juanito, Rivas (Lembo 47'), Tais; Cañas, Marcos Assunçao (Arzu 72'); Joaquín (Capi 74'), Fernando, Edu; Oliveira. 4-2-3-1.
Villarreal: Reina; Javi Venta, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Peña, Sorín; Josico, César Arzo (Héctor Font 46'); Armando Sá, Riquelme, José Marí (Xisco Nadal 75'); Diego Forlán (Guayre 46'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Betis: No change / Villarreal: Peña, Armando Sá for Quique Alvarez, Arruabarrena.

Goals:
1-0. 19. Oliveira. Collected through ball from Edu and struck shot across Reina
2-0. 39. Oliveira. Following up after Reina parried Cañas shot from right of goal.
2-1. 54. Guayre. Ran ball into net after José Marí lobbed keeper.

Betis are the on-form team at the moment, and they made it ten games without defeat after beating Villarreal 2-1. Once again Oliveira was the man who did the damage with two goals in the first half in quick counter-attacks, the first from Edu's pass and the second after Reina could only push out a shot from Cañas. The visitors could have equalised in between though, José Marí's effort bouncing off the outside of the post and away for a goal kick.

Villarreal were showing some nice touches though, and Guayre got one back in the second half after José Marí lobbed the ball to him over the head of keeper Doblas. Betis could have increased the lead when Joaquín produced a sparkling run but could not finish things off, but Guayre was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty soon afterwards when he was brought down by the keeper, a decision which cost visiting manager Pellegrini a red card for protesting.