Valencia moved into pole position in Group B of the Europa League thanks to a comprehensive victory over Lille tonight.

Joaquin netted inside three minutes and then doubled the lead after 32 minutes, with the impressive Juan Mata wrapping up victory seven minutes after half-time.

The Spaniards began the match a point behind their opponents but head into their final group game against Genoa two points clear of both after the Italians could only draw with Slavia Prague tonight.

Valencia made the perfect start, with Joaquin getting on the end of a pinpoint cross from Mata to put them ahead.

It was all Valencia and it could have been three inside 10 minutes, Ever Banega seeing his 18-yard effort pushed away by Mickael Landreau before Mata struck the woodwork with a lovely curling effort.

Lille knew they could book their spot in the last 32 with victory tonight and they threatened for the first time through Gervinho, who fired an effort just past the post.

The hosts were missing star duo David Villa and David Silva through suspension and injury, respectively, but they continued to pour forward.

Alexis' header from Joaquin's cross was deflected just past the angle by Emerson with Landreau stranded, while at the other end Lille came close to an equaliser as Pierre-Alain Frau's volley sailed narrowly wide.

But Valencia looked threatening with every attack and, after Mata had failed to find the target when all alone in the area, Joaquin doubled the lead, seizing on a through ball from Carlos Marchena.

Landreau then had to be alert to keep out another effort from the lively Mata before Valencia keeper Miguel Moya was called upon for the first time, acrobatically saving Franck Beria's header.

Lille coach Rudi Garcia reacted by bringing on Mathieu Debuchy and Robert Vittek for Emerson and Frau at half-time but, far from improving matters, the home side forged further ahead.

Bruno played in Mata and the Spaniard deservedly got on the scoresheet with a calm finish.

Moya was called upon on the hour mark, pushing Adil Rami's free-kick around the post after David Navarro had fouled Florent Balmont.

Banega was again denied by Landreau as Los Che sought a late fourth, and Beria's injury-time strike would have been little consolation for Lille.