Wet win at Mestalla sees Valencia CF through to Europa League semifinals

Valencia CF made their way safely through to the UEFA Europa League semifinal stage with a 2-0 win over Villarreal CF, giving them a 5-1 aggregate score in the regional derby. Goals from Toni Lato and Dani Parejo put the tie beyond almost any doubt before the hour mark at a wet and windy Mestalla.

Marcelino's men carried over a 3-1 advantage from the first leg, but made it clear in the buildup to the return fixture that they would be going for victory.

Their main outlet early on was long balls past the defence, and on 12 minutes they took the lead on the night thanks to a first senior goal for Toni Lato; the defender was fed by Gonçalo Guedes, who had gathered ball near the left corner flag, cut back and lifted the ball up for his teammate to fire home.

A minute later, Kevin Gameiro had the chance to double the lead, but put his effort over both the oncoming Andrés Fernández in the Villarreal goal and the crossbar.

The visitors' best chance of the first half was a Gerard Moreno header, saved by Neto with little difficulty, as VCF went into the break with a 1-0 lead on the night.

The second half was a busier one for the Valencia CF defence, but they held up to several attacks in the early going -and got the goal that put the tie out of reach of their regional rivals. Funes Mori had pulled down Guedes just outside the area, and Parejo's free kick would clip the Argentine on its way into the net.

Whilst the rain continued to lash down after that 54th minute strike, Valencia CF weathered the storm and the persistence of the Villarreal attack, thwarting the likes of Pedraza and Chukwueze and keeping a clean sheet en route to a 5-1 aggregate victory.

Valencia CF will now meet Arsenal in the UEFA Europa League semifinals, after the English side eliminated Napoli 3-0 on aggregate. The first leg will take place on Thursday May 2nd at the Emirates Stadium in London, with the return fixture at Mestalla on May 9th.

UEFA Europa League Quarter Final 2nd Leg
Valencia CF 2 vs. 0 Villarreal CF (Agg: 5-1)
Mestalla, Valencia (Attendance: 26,403)

Valencia CF: Neto, Wass, Roncaglia, Diakhaby, Lato, Parejo (Coquelin, m. 62), Carlos Soler (G. Paulista, m. 46), Ferrán, Guedes (Kang In, m. 68), Santi Mina and Gameiro.

Villarreal CF: Andrés Fernández, Andrei, Funes Mori, Víctor Ruiz, Costa, Trigueros (Javi Fuego, m. 73), Morlanes, Raba (Chukwueze, m. 46), Cáseres (Pablo Fornals, m. 64), Pedraza and Gerard Moreno.

Goals: 1-0. M. 12: Lato.  2-0. M. 54: Parejo.

Referee: William Collum (Scotland). Yellow cards for Coquelin (Valencia CF), Raba, Pedraza, Funes Mori and Andrei (Villarreal).