Goals from Ever Banega and David Villa saw Valencia cruise to a comfortable home win over struggling Real Valladolid.

Banega struck after eight minutes and Villa added the second just before the half-hour mark to secure the three points for Unai Emery's side and consolidate third place in La Liga after 21 rounds of matches.

Valencia were very much favourites from the outset to win this one.

Emery's side have been in good form of late, although last weekend's defeat at Sevilla was a blow to the club's fading title hopes.

Nevertheless, Champions League qualification will be seen as a success for Los Che this season following two disappointing league campaigns in the last two years.

Valladolid's aspirations are all about survival.

The Castilians have endured a miserable campaign so far and parted company with long-standing coach Jose Luis Mendilibar last weekend.

This game was therefore the first in charge for new man Onesimo Sanchez.

But things did not start well for the incoming coach as a defensive error gifted Valencia an early lead.

Haris Medunjanin carelessly lost the ball on the edge of the area and Banega popped up to lash home a fierce drive which gave Valladolid goalkeeper Justo Villar no chance as it flew into the top corner.

Things nearly got even worse for the visitors soon after that, but Villar produced a wonderful save to deny Juan Mata what looked like a certain second goal for Valencia.

The Paraguay keeper reacted superbly to push the forward's header behind for a corner and keep his side in the game.

Jeremy Mathieu blasted over the bar from the resulting corner as Valladolid survived once more.

It was all Valencia in the early stages, but Valladolid missed a great chance to equalise after 25 minutes when Diego Costa dragged a low shot wide of the target from 12 yards.

And the visitors were made to regret that miss as Valencia doubled their lead just four minutes later.

Banega crossed for Villa after Valladolid had failed to clear a corner and the Spain striker threw himself at the Argentinian's cross to beat Villar with a close-range header.

David Silva had missed a great chance just before that.

And Villa squandered two more good opportunities before half-time.

Cesar Arzo shot over at the other end as the second half got under way and Costa saw a decent penalty appeal waved away shortly afterwards.

Valladolid were giving it their best to get back into the game, but Costa missed a great opportunity after 57 minutes when he failed to find the net with only Cesar to beat.

After that, though, it was Valencia who were guilty of missing chances.

Mata was culpable on two occasions, while Villa hit the post as well.

But the home side were already two goals to the good and there was no way back for Valladolid.

The result moved Valencia onto 42 points and kept them third, while Valladolid remained 17th but could find themselves in the bottom three tomorrow.