Villarreal boosted their quest for Champions League qualification with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Granada in La Liga.

The hosts nearly made the perfect start when Ikechukwu Uche fired narrowly wide of Sergio Asenjo's goal with barely two minutes on the clock.

El Grana carried their own attacking threat and almost stunned the El Madrigal crowd midway through the first half as Lass's strike from distance was only a few inches away from finding the back of the net.

However, the Yellow Submarines took the lead on the half-hour mark when Gerard Moreno's well-placed free kick found its way to defender Mateo Musacchio, who fired home from close range.

Arsenal loanee Joel Campbell came close to doubling Villarreal's advantage early in the second half, but the Costa Rican was denied by keeper Oier Olazabal.

Granada tried to press for an equaliser late on, but Piti was twice thwarted by Asenjo.

The home side wrapped up the points in the dying moments when Moreno's left-footed strike from the centre of the area gave Olazabal no chance.