Villa double sees Valencia past Real Betis

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posted on 15 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Even though Betis pushed for the equaliser they could not find one.

New Delhi: Valencia moved a step closer to Champions League qualification on Wednesday evening as David Villa scored twice to give his side a vital win over Real Betis at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera.

In a game of few chances it was the home side who had the better of it before the break but Villa soon put his team into the driving seat as he converted from Juan Mata's cross 20 minutes into the half.

Even though Betis pushed for the equaliser they could not find one and Villa grabbed a second when he rounded off a good passing move by finishing past Ricardo.

The home side got a goal back with time running out when Ricardo Oliveira blasted past Cesar from the edge of the box, but they could not find another as the clock wore down.

The win means that Valencia move five points clear of Malaga in fifth and are now firm favourites to reach the Champions League next season.

With both teams in good form heading into the match the opening exchanges turned out to be rather subdued, with neither side able to create anything of note. A slight injury to Raul Albiol was the only incident in the first ten minutes as both teams seemed happy to control the ball and get into the game.

Achille Emana very nearly threaded through Mark Gonzalez on the wing but Valencia defended well and it was not until the 30th minute that Cesar was forced into action, as he had to dive when Alberto Rivera curled a shot just around the post. The home team looked the more likely to break the deadlock and Valencia's sole efforts came from outside the area as Ricardo was not called into action.

Cesar on the other hand made a superb save to deny Gonzalez with the half drawing in, as the Chilean headed at goal from a corner, only for the 'keeper to dive and palm it to safety. That was to be the last action in the opening 45 minutes as the teams went in with the score level at the break.

After the interval it was very much the same story too, as neither team could create many chances and break down the opposition defence. Ricardo Oliveira cut a lone figure up front for Betis and David Villa hardly got a sniff of goal as the home side managed to defend against the attacking threats of Valencia well.

Predictably, it was 'El Guaje' who eventually got the breakthrough though as he gave his team the lead with 25 minutes left on the clock. A ball in from the left wing from Juan Mata found Villa just a few yards out from goal and he expertly flicked past Ricardo to put Valencia into the driving seat.

Betis could not respond either and 15 minutes later they found themselves two down, as Villa found the back of the net again. Just seconds after Mata struck the post with an effort, Joaquin and Edu combined with the latter providing a cross for Valencia's top scorer to drill past Ricardo in goal.

It was a hammer blow for Betis and even though Oliveira latched onto a Juanma pass late on and fired home past Cesar, it was not enough, as Jose Maria Nogues tasted defeat for the first time as Betis' coach.