MX23RW : Friday, March 29 08:36:47| >> :120:6316:6316:
[monks data]
Attendance: 19,079
Villarreal logo
La Liga
May 5, 2018 at 7.45pm UK
 
Valencia logo

1-0

Gaspar (86')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Villarreal boost European hopes with late win over Valencia

Villarreal close in on a European spot in La Liga courtesy of a late 1-0 win over fourth-placed Valencia at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

Villarreal have moved another step closer to securing European football next season courtesy of a late 1-0 win over Valencia at the Estadio de la Ceramica this evening.

It looked as though the top-six showdown was heading for a stalemate until the 86th minute, when Mario Gaspar struck the winning goal to hand the home side all three points.

Valencia - who had already been guaranteed a top-four spot courtesy of Real Betis's defeat earlier in the day - were unable to respond in the closing stages as their winless run stretched to five games, whereas Villarreal now sit six points clear of Sevilla in seventh.

The visitors - on their longest winless run of the season - were the first to come close in the 25th minute when Rodrigo latched on to a dangerous cross inside the area, but his low strike was smartly saved by Sergio Asenjo.

It wasn't until four minutes before half time that Villarreal created their first major chance of the contest when Denis Cheryshev lifted the ball into the area for Carlos Bacca, who could not keep his effort down as the two sides went into the break goalless.

Clear chances were even more difficult to come by in the second half, but any thoughts that the game would drift out into a goalless draw were abruptly ended four minutes from time when Gaspar got on the end of Manuel Trigueros's free kick to divert the ball past Neto.

There was no way back for Valencia after that late goal as they fell to another defeat, leaving them having picked up only two points from the last 15 on offer in La Liga.

Villarreal, meanwhile, are now in the driving seat to earn a place in the Europa League next season, with Javi Calleja's side also boasting a game in hand against many of the teams around them in the table.

VILLARREAL (4-4-2): Asenjo; Gaspar, Gonzalez, Ruiz, Rukavina (Costa 46'); Castillejo, Hernandez, Trigueros, Cheryshev (Fornals 67'); Raba (Sansone 83'), Bacca

VALENCIA (4-4-2): Neto; Vezo, Garay, Gabriel, Gaya; Soler (Torres 71'), Parejo, Kondogbia, Guedes (Pereira 81'); Mina (Vietto 67'), Rodrigo

ID:325201: cacheID:325201:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3691:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Getafe CF manager Fran Escriba looks on during the Pre-Season Friendly match between MK Dons and Getafe CF at Stadium mk on July 28, 2015
Read Next:
Villarreal sack Escriba, appoint Calleja
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!