Villarreal moved above Granada in La Liga after a 3-1 win on Sunday evening.

It was the away side who made the better of the early running and they almost took the lead after four minutes when Carlos Martins found Mikel Rico in the area, but his header drifted wide of the post.

Villarreal looked dangerous on the counter, however, and took the lead after 16 minutes when Cani played in Marco Ruben who fired a powerful effort into the top corner.

Granada remained a threat in the opening half, however, and Rico again went close after 25 minutes but fired his long range effort just wide.

The away side might have been level just before the half-hour mark but Inigo Lopez's powerful header struck the post when he might have done better.

The flurry of away pressure sparked the home side into life and Nilmar so nearly doubled their lead moments later, but his powerful effort was pushed wide by Julio Cesar.

Granada levelled the match after 50 minutes when Lopez connected with a Martins cross to head his side back into the match.

Villarreal did not have to wait long to regain the lead, however, and did so 14 minutes later when Borja Valero ended a sweeping move with a cool finish.

It was 3-1 after 73 minutes when the ball bounced in off Cesar to compound the away side's misery.

Villarreal have moved into 14th spot in the table.