( AFP ) - Valencia's miserable European campaign ended on a low note as they were held to a 0-0 Champions League draw against Chelsea on Tuesday that denied them even a UEFA Cup consolation.
Ronald Koeman's side were already out of contention to join Chelsea in the Champions League knockout stages and a lacklustre display at Stamford Bridge ensured they finished bottom of Group B.
It was the fifth successive match without a goal for the Spanish club, who are a shadow of the team that pushed Chelsea so close in the quarter-finals of this competition last season.
Chelsea, who had already clinched first place, should have won by several goals but were let down by the kind of poor finishing that Avram Grant must have feared after Didier Drogba's knee surgery.
Drogba won't be back for three weeks and is off to the African Nations Cup soon after, so Grant could have done with seeing his other strikers get into form. They didn't deliver.
Grant insisted Chelsea will be able to keep winning without Drogba. He said: "We want Didier to play with us but we have won games without him also. This game is the best 0-0 I can expect.
"It was not important for qualification but we wanted to play well and it was great football. We deserved 5-0 at least in this game.
"It is a good feeling to finish top of the group. But it is more important how we played in this group. We want to be in the final. This is our target for the next years but we want to do it this year."
Koeman was reduced to praising his side's solid defending: "I do take some positives from the game. In the last couple of games we haven't conceded. It is important to give some security to our defence," he said.
"We had problems in attack but you have to remember we were playing a big side who haven't conceded many goals."
With a crucial Premier League clash at Arsenal looming on Sunday and his side's place in the Champions League knockout stages already secure, Grant could have been forgiven for sending out an under-strength side.
Instead he opted to pick his established stars, with John Terry, Frank Lampard and company joined by Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech, who was making his first appearance for a month after a calf injury.
While Chelsea could afford to take it easy, it was Valencia's last chance to salvage a UEFA Cup place. But it was the hosts who started with more energy and should have been ahead after four minutes.
Drogba's injury has given Andriy Shevchenko a rare chance for a lengthy spell in the team and Grant is convinced the Ukrainian will prove an able replacement.
Unfortunately for Grant, Shevchenko's luck hasn't turned for the better yet.
Shaun Wright-Phillips sent Lampard clear down the right and his first time pass was perfect for Shevchenko, but his lunging shot was pushed away by Santiago Canizares.
Wright-Phillips forced Canizares into action again with a cross-shot that the Spanish keeper palmed away at his near post. Then Terry headed just wide from Lampard's cross.
It was hard to believe Valencia were the one with something to play for. Canizares produced a brilliant one-handed stop to keep out Lampard's fierce drive as Chelsea continued to make all the running.
Koeman's side finally tested Cech three minutes before the break. David Villa exchanged passes with Fernando Morientes before striking a powerful effort that Cech parried well.
Shevchenko only lasted a half and was replaced by Claude Makelele at the interval. He was presumably withdrawn to save him for the Arsenal game but it was another underwhelming night for the 30 million pound man.
Valencia were still unable to shake off their lethargy. But, while Chelsea had all the possession, they couldn't find a breakthrough.
Salomon Kalou's cool finish was ruled out for offside before Claudio Pizarro shot straight at Canizares from the edge of the area.
Sunday's showdown at the Emirates Stadium was clearly on Grant's mind as he took off Lampard after an hour. Grant's men must have known they weren't going to score no matter what when Kalou missed a sitter in the 75th minute.
Pizarro's diving header left Kalou with an open goal to aim at but he somehow managed to hit the bar from close range.
Another chance went begging moments later as Pizarro's shot was blocked by Canizares.
Joe Cole hit the post late on but Chelsea were forced to settle for a draw that extended their unbeatun run at home to 50 games in all competitions.