They therefore neglected these altogether, and Sebastiani advanced against the British division in the plains; while Victor, as before, prepared to assail the British left, supported this time by a great mass of cavalry.
The French were soon in readiness for the attack.

Ruffin's division were to cross the valley, move along the foot of the mountain, and turn the British left.

Villatte was to guard the mouth of the valley with one brigade, to threaten Hill with the other, and to make another attempt to carry it.

He was to be aided by half the division of Lapisse, while the other half assisted Sebastiani in his attack on the British centre.

Milhaud's dragoons were placed on the main road to Talavera, so as to keep the Spaniards from moving to the assistance of the British.
The battle began with a furious attack on the British right, but the French were withstood by Campbell's division and Mackenzie's brigade, aided by two Spanish columns; and was finally pushed back with great loss, and ten of their guns captured; but as Campbell wisely refused to break his line and pursue, the French rallied on their reserve, and prepared to renew the attack.
In the meantime Lapisse crossed the rivulet and attacked Sherbrooke's division, composed of the Germans and Guards.