Valencia 2 - Celta 0

Valencia: Cañizares; Miguel, Raúl Albiol, Ayala, Moretti; Vicente, Albelda, Hugo Viana (Angulo 62'), Fabio Aurelio; David Villa (Kluivert 82'), Mista (Aimar 46'). 4-4-2.
Celta: Pinto; Angel (Contreras 82'), Sergio, Lequi, Placente; Iriney, Borja Oubiña; Antonio Nuñez, Jonathan Aspas (De Ridder 54'), Canobbio (Javi Guerrero 85'); Baiano. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Valencia: Raúl Albiol, Hugo Viana, Fabio Aurelio for Marchena, Rufete, Baraja / Celta: Jonathan Aspas for David Silva.

Goals:
1-0. 72. David Villa. Ran on to Angulo through ball and shot low under Pinto.
2-0. 78. Fabio Aurelio. Dived forward to head Vicente's free kick wide of keeper.

Second half goals from Villa and Fabio Aurelio gave Valencia a deserved three points in a disappointing match. Celta started well enough with the lively young winger Antonio Nuñez being brought into play at every opportunity. However the men from Vigo created few clear chances and were limited to wayward long range efforts from Baiano. Aurelio's spinning cross-cum-shot was the highlight of the first half. Celta keeper, Pinto, failed to hold it but saved well from Mista's follow up.

In the second half Celta retreated further into their shell as Valencia began to look the more likely side to score. Sergio almost headed a Vicente cross into his own net on the hour mark. Valencia's half time substitutions paid dividends. Aimar posed problems virtually every time he was on the ball, while another substitute, Angulo, was involved in the opening goal. David Villa took Angulo's through ball in his stride and tucked the ball away under the advancing Pinto.

Vicente switched to his natural left wing to take a free kick five minutes later. From his accurate cross Aurelio's diving bullet header was perfectly executed. The crowd was left to wonder what Vicente, a player considered the best left midfielder in the country by the national coach, was doing out on the right for most of the game. But his club manager, Quique Flores, can claim that his substitutions and tactical switches gradually outfoxed a cautious Celta.