Villarreal boost UEFA Cup hopes

Less than a week after clinching the Primera División title, Valencia CF lost their eleven-game unbeaten run with a 2-1 defeat by Levante rivals Villarreal CF.

Measure of revenge
It was a measure of revenge for Villarreal, who were eliminated from the UEFA Cup by Valencia at the semi-final stage. Ironically, this match was brought forward top give Valencia time to prepare for Wednesday's UEFA Cup final against Olympique de Marsille in Gothenberg.

Early goals
Brazilian striker Sonny Anderson gave Villarreal the lead in the 14th minute as he ran on to a pass from compatriot Juliano Belletti and shot past Valencia's reserve goalkeeper David Rangel. Within 12 minutes it was 2-0 when Juan Riquelme was set up by Anderson and curled the ball into the net.

Villarreal hold on
Valencia pull one back ten minutes before half-time when Mauricio Pellegrino headed in from a corner. Villarreal had to hang on in the second half but held on to move up to seventh and keep their hopes of returning to the UEFA Cup alive.

Atlético game put back
The rest of the Primera División programme is played out over the weekend, with UEFA Cup-chasing Club Atlético de Madrid's match with relegation-threatened Real Zaragoza postponed from Saturday to Sunday due to the death of former Atlético president Jesús Gil y Gil.