Two goals from Brazilian attacker Jonas saw Valencia run out 2-0 winners against Lille at Mestalla on Tuesday night.
A classy first half finish, and a fortuitous strike in the second were enough to give Los Che their first Champions League win of the season.
Valencia made four changes from the starting XI that beat Real Zaragoza at the weekend, with Antonio Barragan, Victor Ruiz and Carlos Delgado all coming in at the back, whilst Andres Guardado replaced Jonathan Viera in midfield.
But the new boys in defence hardly had a sniff of the ball in the opening minutes, as Mauricio Pellegrino's side came flying out the blocks. The attacking midfield three dominated the ball, and posed all sorts of problems for the Lille backline.
Slowly though, the French side started imposing themselves on the game. Benoit Pedretti had a couple of set-piece chances for Les Dogues, but it was Los Che who eventually opened the scoring on 38 minutes.
Jonas played a neat one-two with Roberto Soldado on the edge of the area, before side-footing calmly into the back of the net.
Rudi Garcia had clearly said something at half time, because the Ligue 1 team were markedly more dynamic in the opening stages of the second 45.
Dimitri Payet was proving a tricky customer on the ball, and nearly made his good work show on 55 minutes, as his shot just went past Vicente Guaita's post.
The visitors really were starting to turn the screw, but their lack of chances was almost pounced upon by Soldado on 65 minutes. A cross from Feghouli picked out the head of the Spain international, but he could only head over from close range.
They did though, double their lead 10 minutes later. A cross from Jonas on the right caught out Mickael Landreau in the Lille goal, and floated over his head, into the far corner.
Lille ended the match with ten men, as Mathieu Debuchy received a second yellow card late on, but the home side will be pleased to get off the mark in Europe this term.
Valencia 2-0 Lille
Scorers: Jonas 38, 75 (V)
Valencia: Guaita; Barragan, Delgado, Victor Ruiz, Cissokho; Costa, Gago; Feghouli (Joao Pereira 87), Jonas (Parejo 81), Guardado; Soldado (Valdez 84)
Lille: Landreau; Debuschy, Basa, Chedjou (Digne 83), Beria; Balmont, Gueye, Pedretti; Payet, Roux (De Melo 64), Mendes (Rodelin 73)
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (ITA)
Debuchy sent off 86 (L)
