Both goalkeepers were called into action in the opening exchanges of a tense relegation six-pointer.
Valencia stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili comfortably stopped Lucas Robertone’s free-kick, before Justin Kluivert’s fierce strike forced Fernando Martinez to push away from danger.
The visitors, who were still searching for their first away league goal of 2023, managed to get in behind the Almería defence on a couple of occasions, but they lacked the crucial cutting edge.
Jose Gaya was denied at the near post by Martinez, while Kluivert underhit his chipped effort, allowing Srđan Babić to get back and clear the ball away from danger.
Valencia’s hopes of claiming a positive result were dealt a blow when Kluivert and Nico Gonzalez were forced off with injury issues either side of the break.
As the Los Murcielagos prepared a substitute for Nico, Almeria made full use of the temporary numerical advantage, taking the lead in the 49th minute.
Gonzalo Melero, who previously played for Valencia’s local rivals Levante, latched onto Samu Costa’s neat pass, before drilling the ball into the bottom corner.
Almeria smelt blood and with the vocal home support spurring them on, they went in search of a second goal.
Mamardashvili was on hand to thwart Arnau Puigmal, but Valencia's goalkeeper was unable to prevent an unmarked Babic from heading home Robertone’s deep corner just before the hour mark.
Almost immediately, Samu Castillejo reduced the arrears with a deflected effort that gave the visitors a semblance of hope.
However, an equaliser proved elusive as Edinson Cavani and Hugo Duro headed late chances over the bar, ensuring Valencia fell to defeat against Almería for the first time since October 2013. While the Rojiblancos move three points clear of the drop zone, Rubén Baraja’s side are left two points adrift of safety.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Srdan Babic (Almeria)
