celtavigo

Celta Vigo reinforced their top-five place with a hard-fought victory over Villarreal.

Celta may only be in their first season back in the top flight but took a step closer to European qualification with Fernando Baiano's first-half penalty enough to give them a 1-0 win at the Estadio Balaidos.

The visitors enjoyed much of the possession and even managed to create most of the chances but failed to make the breakthrough and have slipped to eighth having taken just one point in their last three games.

Celta Vigo qualified for the 2003-04 Champions League but their league campaign suffered as they faced Europe's elite and they were ultimately relegated.

While Villarreal are not in danger of relegation, their hopes of European qualification appear to be suffering as they prepare to face Rangers in the last 16 of this season's Champions League.

Villarreal are also suffering from the absence of star player Juan Roman Riquelme to a calf strain, but Roger Garcia is doing his best to fill the gap left by the influential playmaker.

The former Espanyol midfielder went close with a third-minute free-kick before Marcos Senna had a 10th-minute free-kick saved by home goalkeeper Jose Pinto.

The hosts replied with Angel Lopez charging into the box after 25 minutes, only to shoot off target.