Reigning champions Sevilla defeat Villareal 5-2 on aggregate to advance in Europa League
Madrid, March 20 (IANS) Reigning Europa League champions, Sevilla moved into the last eight of the football competition beating fellow Spanish team Villarreal 5-2 on aggregate. Sevilla won the second leg tie 2-1 on Thursday following a 3-1 first leg win, reports Xinhua.
In the second leg tie, the match began in promising fashion. But the hosts Sevilla looked the more confident side with forward Kevin Gameiro a constant threat in attack.
With his side needing three goals in the second half Villareal fielded striker Giovani Dos Santos and saw as his side put Sevilla under severe pressure without being able to create any clear cut chances.
Sevilla punished them with 20 minutes remaining when Vicente Iborra scored with a simple tap-in. But Dos Santos got Villarreal right back into things four minutes later with a powerful shot.
That goal left Villarreal needing to score twice to force the contest into extra-time, but their hopes suffered a setback after 65 minutes when defender Eric Bailly was sent off for a second booking.
The tie was decided eight minutes from time when midfielder Denis Suarez scored a header to put Sevilla 2-1 ahead on the night and 5-2 on aggregate.