Valencia 1 - Osasuna 0

Valencia: Renan; Miguel, Raúl Albiol, Alexis, Moretti; Manuel Fernandes (Albelda 62'), Edu (Pablo Hernández 70'); Joaquín, David Villa, Mata; Morientes (Angulo 57'). 4-2-3-1.
Osasuna: Ricardo; Azplicueta, Roversio, Miguel Flaño, Monreal; Nekounam, Vadocz (Puñal 73'); Jokin Esparza (Masoud 57'), Héctor Font, Plasil; Portillo (Javier Flaño 65'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Valencia: Edu, Morientes for Albelda, Pablo Hernández / Osasuna: Miguel Flaño, Vadocz, Jokin Esparza, Héctor Font, Portillo for for Josetxo, Puñal, Juanfran, Ezquerro, Kike Sola.

Goals:
1-0. 83. Mata. Got on end of David Villa's long ball to volley shot past Ricardo.

Yellow cards: Azpilicueta 53', 63', Edu 64', Ricardo 65' / red cards: Azpilicueta 63'.

Valencia head the table on goal difference after a 1-0 victory over Osasuna, the Chés level on seven points with three other sides. The visitors though ended the weekend in fifteenth place, just a point above the relegation spots.

Unai Emery surprised everyone including David Villa in his starting line up after medical reports suggested that an injury picked up in a midweek UEFA Cup tie could have kept him out for two or three weeks, but the Spanish international striker lasted throughout the match and fired the first chance wide early on. Mata also had a couple of chances before the break, but Héctor Font could have scored for the visitors when he fired a shot over the bar in the opening minutes.

Mata hit the post after the restart, but Cuco Ziganda's side held on for a long while despite having César Azpilicueta sent off for a second bookable offence with just over an hour on the clock. However with seven minutes to go a long pass from Villa found Mata, who volleyed a first time shot past Ricardo to wrap up the three points. Game over!