The hosts fell behind six minutes before the break on Friday when Gerard Moreno scored from the penalty spot after the video assistant referee (VAR) adjudged Jose Gaya to have handled in the area.

The penalty was harsh but then they benefitted from a VAR call four minutes from time when Jaume Costa was adjudged to have fouled Maxi Gomez.

Carlos Soler scored from the spot and it looked as if Valencia had salvaged a point but they got the win when substitute Goncalo Guedes scored from the edge of the area one minute into added time.

Valencia move up to 11th with Villarreal staying seventh.

"We started well but to concede the penalty it was hard to get over," said Guedes. "But then a penalty went our way and we took advantage of the situation.

"The goal will give me confidence. I always try to take my chances when I come on and I was able to do that tonight."

Villarreal defender Juan Foyth said they were disappointed not to gain anything from the match.

"We are very sad to go home with nothing. We had chances to go 2-0 up and we ending losing 2-1.

"We are on a bad run but I'm sure we will find the consistency and turn this around."

Australian Associated Press