Sevilla are tied at half time with Villarreal in their Europa League match at the Estadio Ramon.
Both teams attacked early on, with Villarreal needing at least three goals to qualify, and it was the visitors who had the first chance when Manuel Trigueros tested Sergio Rico with a strike from distance.
Vicente Iborra went close for the home side after finding space in the box, but his low effort was comfortably saved by Sergio Asenjo.
Despite an end-to-end half, there were few telling chances as the interval drew nearer, with Villarreal facing an uphill battle to qualify for the quarter-finals.
