Advantage Espanyol in Copa del Rey quarter-final with Sevilla

Espanyol has one foot in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey after a surprise 3-1 win over Europa League holder Sevilla on Friday (AEDT).

Espanyol is has a two-goal lead in the Copa del Rey quarter-final tie with Sevilla. (AAP)

Sevilla came into the game on an unbeaten 10-game run that had seen it rise to fourth in the Primera Liga, but coach Unai Emery paid for making a number of changes as Espanyol throughly merited its win.

Ecuadorian striker Felipe Caicedo continued his fine recent form with a sumptuous strike into the top corner to give the Catalans an early lead.

Captain Sergio Garcia then converted from the penalty spot after Alejandro Arribas had been harshly adjudged to have handled inside his own area 12 minutes from time.

Moments later Garcia turned provider as Lucas Vazquez rounded off a swift counter-attack with a precise low finish.

However, Sevilla's top scorer Carlos Bacca came of the bench to give the Andalusians hope for the return leg next week when he volleyed home in stoppage time.

The winner of the tie will face Malaga or Athletic Bilbao, who played out a 0-0 draw in the first leg on Wednesday, in the last four.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the draw, Barcelona and Villarreal take 1-0 leads into the return leg against Atletico Madrid and Getafe respectively.