New Delhi: Los Che keep up their European challenge after squeezing past brave Almeria by the odd goal in five at the Mestalla.
Despite a duo of comeback goals from Alvaro Negredo, Valencia picked up three vital points at home thanks to an early strike from Joaquin and a brace from David Villa.
Within seconds of the start it was clear that we were in for a fine game, with the moist pitch serving as an ideal conduit for the fast-paced action, even if the empty stands were less pleasing.
But those fans who did brave the rainy conditions were rewarded seven minutes in after David Silva's far post cross found Joaquin for an opening goal via the volley.
This early strike emboldened Valencia further and they dominated the early stages, mostly thanks to the excellent Silva, but in fact Almeria were to score with virtually their second chance of the encounter.
Ex-Real Madrid man Alvaro Negredo did the honours after tipping home Albert Crusat's far post cross in acrobatic fashion.
Almeria, predictably, picked up a second wind after this, but just as has happened for their own goal they were then caught by a sucker punch.
Los Che won a penalty just before the half hour after Juan Mata fell under the challenge of Carlos Garcia, although this was an extremely debatable decision from Mejuto Gonzalez.
Indeed, as the (perhaps warranted) protests from the visitors continued, David Villa tucked it away with confidence.
Valencia were out in front but possession and chances were even heading into the break, with Hugo Sanchez's rojiblancos seemingly ready to pull the trigger with similar readiness to the hosts.
Albert Crusat was especially active for the visitors, and he almost set up Negredo for his second just after the restart.
But right after the hour mark a fine, flowing move from Valencia silenced the whistling fans and even prompted some cheering as David Villa bagged his brace.
Yet Negredo remained rampant, and it was right down the other end to make it 3-2 as the striker headed home following a defensive error from Carlos Marchena.
For all Valencia's leading, though, they did not look 100% comfortable in midfield, and coach Unai Emery even withdrew opening goalscorer Joaquin as the winger faded out of the game.
Similarly Ruben Baraja was withdrawn for Edu, while Hugo Sanchez responded by introducing Pablo Piatti, as the Rojiblancos went for broke.
While this left them exposed at the back, they were so nearly rewarded right at the end when new 'leeper Cesar pulled off a wonderful, one-handed save from Piatti, and saved his side's bacon for all three points.
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