Ernesto Valverde`s side ended 2009 in ninth spot after seeing off Racing Santander with two second-half goals.
Joseba Llorente, who struck an injury-time winner against Atletico Madrid last weekend, opened the scoring in the 51st minute and Giuseppe Rossi doubled the lead 21 minutes later as Villarreal continue to make up for lost time following their worst start to a Primera Division season.
The Yellow Submarine were left propping up the standings after taking just three points from their opening seven league games, while they also lost two of their opening three Europa League group matches to leave their hopes of progressing through to the next phase of that competition in jeopardy.
However, today`s win means the east coast side have now recorded nine victories in their last 13 competitive matches, helping them through to the next rounds of the Europa League and Copa del Rey, as well as lifting them up 11 places in La Liga.
Villarreal suffered a rare recent setback in midweek when they lost 1-0 at home to group winners Salzburg in Europe, but with his side guaranteed to finish in second place no matter what the result, Valverde opted to give a number of his fringe players a chance in that game.
It was close to a full-strength side that took the field today though, and two of the players brought back into the starting line-up, Rossi and Joan Capdevila, both tried their luck early on as Villarreal went in search of their fifth successive home win in La Liga.
Villarreal continued to push forward and had plenty of efforts on goal in the first half, but Racing, who had won their previous two matches to climb out of the relegation zone, refused to roll over and they really should have taken the lead themselves in the 31st minute when the unmarked Mohamed Tchite somehow contrived to head wide from just six yards out.
The home side were back in the box seat after the break, and visiting keeper Fabio Coltorti performed heroics to keep out efforts from Marcos Senna and Robert Pires before he was finally beaten in the 51st minute.
Javi Venta did well to steal possession down the right before firing in a low cross that Racing defender Henrique, in trying to cut the ball out before it reached Llorente, almost deflected into his own net at the near post. Racing survived thanks to a good save from Coltorti, but Llorente pounced on the loose ball to fire home.
That breakthrough was no more than Villarreal deserved, and the only surprise was why it took them so long to get in front.
They did not need much longer to double their lead though, and with it seal the win.
Rossi, who had gone close to netting not long before with a diving header, was the goalscorer with a spectacular finish.
The Italy international showed good reactions and brilliant technique to head a loose ball up in the air before sending an acrobatic volley into the corner of the net.
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