In a lacklustre game of desperately few chances, substitute Guillermo Franco headed in the only goal in the 67th minute.

The win keeps Villarreal in touch with the race for the final UEFA Cup berth. Although they remain 10th, they are up to 47 points, putting them four behind sixth-placed Atletico Madrid who have 51.

However, the picture for Celta Vigo is far less encouraging. They remain in the drop zone with just 30 points from 33 games, three points adrift of Athletic Bilbao and safety.

Five of Celta's seven wins this season have come away from home, but they showed little enthusiasm to earn another three points in the first half.

It was turgid stuff, with only a handful of corners giving either goalkeeper anything to think about.

There was not a chance for either side until the 40th minute.

When it came, it fell to Celta's Anderson Nene, but he sent his left-footed shot over the bar from close range.

The level of the game rose a little after the break, but this time it was Villarreal who were on the attack.

French World Cup winner Robert Pires tried his luck in the 57th minute but could not find the target with a right-footed shot from 12 yards out.

Moments later, Uruguay striker Diego Forlan was also off-target when presented with a good chance from a central position.

Celta's Santos Iriney had a go from 30 yards in the 64th minute, but his right-footed effort sailed wide left of the target.

Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini was keen to inject some more impetus into his attack and in the 65th minute he introduced Franco - returning from a suspension - in place of Garcia Marcos.

The Mexican striker would need just a couple of minutes to make his presence felt.

Former Liverpool winger Antonio Nunez saw a 20-yard shot blocked by Sebastian Viera.

Villarreal took the ball straight back to the other end to win a corner.

Matias Fernandez whipped the ball into the box and it was Franco who got up to head into the top right-hand corner of the net from close range.

Celta Vigo made a double substitution with Gustavo Lopez replaced by Fabian Canobbio and Habib Bamogo coming on for Oubina Borja.

However, it was to no avail as they failed to muster another chance for the remainder of the game.

Villarreal were content to play out the final 20 minutes and pick up another three points in their quest for European football.