First Division - Day 17

Villarreal 0 - Valencia 2

Villarreal: Sergio Asenjo; Mario, Álvaro González, Víctor Ruiz, Jaume Costa; Jonathan Dos Santos (Santos Borré 83’), Bruno, Manu Trigueros, Roberto Soriano (Samu Castillejo 61’); Alexandre Pato, Sansone. 4-4-2.
Valencia: Diego Alves; Cancelo, Garay, Mangala, Gayà; Carlos Soler (Mario Suárez 78’), Enzo Pérez, Dani Parejo; Munir (Montoya 87’), Santi Mina (Zaza 81’), Nani. 4-3-3. Goals:
0-1. 35. Carlos Soler. Steered angled shot past keeper from Nani cross.
0-2. 42. Santi Mina. Won ball off Asenjo and poked shot in to empty net. Yellow cards: Enzo Pérez 33’, Víctor Ruíz 49’, Garay 80’, Jaume Costa 89’.

Sixth placed Villarreal missed out on a chance to close in on the teams above them after they were beaten 0-2 by neighbours Valencia in the last match of Saturday evening. Both goals came shortly before the break, Carlos Soler turning a shot past Sergio Asenjo following good work by Nani, and Santi Mina poking a shot in to the empty net after the keeper lost the ball trying to dribble round him. Diego Alves had to save from Trigueros, Mario and Santos Borré after the restart, and Pato fired a shot against the upright, but the Ches held on for a much needed win which takes them seven points clear of the relegation spots.