Villarreal snatch top spot after dramatic comeback

October 4, 2008

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Two goals in two minutes saw Villarreal come from behind to beat struggling Real Betis 2-1 on Saturday and overtake Valencia at the top of the Spanish first division.

Villarreal have been unbeaten at home for ten months but with Betis the last team to win at El Madrigal, Paco Chaparro's side came confident of springing a surprise.

Betis were the clear underdogs having so far failed to win this season but they have had a tough start to the campaign facing bitter local rivals Sevilla along with Barcelona and Real Madrid.

They deservedly went ahead after 20 minutes through former Barcelona defender Damia Abella who found room in between the Villarreal centre-halves to finish well.

Betis struggled to maintain their rhythm with especially Achille Emana and Jesus Capi offering little cover for the defence.

Centre-half Gonzalo Prado equalised for Villarreal with a flicked header from a free-kick, after 69 minutes, and then with the home fans still celebrating they scored again.

Substitute Robert Pires miscued a shot from the left of the area but it fortuitously found Joseba Llorente who was left with the simple task of scoring from close range.

Saturday's late match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid has been billed as the battle of the number tens as Argentines Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero go head-to-head at the Camp Nou.

After a poor start to the season under new coach Pep Guardiola, Barcelona have now managed to string together six wins on the trot, but they are by no means rolling over their opposition.

They have secured victories in the final minutes in their last two games away at Espanyol, domestically, and Shakhtar Donestsk, in the Champions League.

Atletico will look to exploit Barca's defensive frailties with keeper Victor Valdes having averaged more than a goal a game scored against him from the last eight matches despite the few chances created by the opposition.

Atletico coach Javier Aguirre will be looking for his team to respond after they lost to Sevilla last weekend but he will be without six players including Diego Forlan in attack and so all eyes will be on Aguero to see if he can work his magic.

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