Villarreal closes in on Champions League spot

Villarreal strengthened its grip on third place in La Liga with a 2-1 away win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, moving four points clear of Atletico Madrid and 15 ahead of fifth-placed Real Betis as it closed in on qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League.

First-half goals from Sergi Cardona and Alfon Gonzalez put Villarreal 2-0 ahead and left Athletic Bilbao struggling.

The home side pushed for a route back into the game in the second half, but Villarreal defended in an organized manner and also had chances to extend its lead on the counterattack.

Gorka Guruzeta pulled a goal back for Athletic Bilbao in the 84th minute, but Villarreal held on for the win, while Athletic remains just six points above the bottom three.

Osasuna and Betis drew 1-1, with Ez Abde putting Betis ahead against his former club before Ante Budimir's penalty earned a point for Osasuna, which created the better chances over the course of the game.

Vedat Muriqi scored twice as Mallorca cruised to a 3-0 home win over Rayo Vallecano to move further away from the bottom three.

The powerful striker scored his 20th and 21st goals of the season in the 36th and 40th minutes respectively, with Jan Virgili rounding off the scoring against a rival still feeling the effects of its Conference League game against AEK Athens on Thursday.

Real Oviedo also kept its survival hopes alive with a 3-0 away win over Celta Vigo, which appeared to suffer from the after-effects of its Europa League defeat away to Freiburg on Thursday.

Oviedo had just over 31 percent possession but was far more effective with its chances, with Alberto Reina opening the scoring in the fourth minute and Federico Vinas doubling the lead on the stroke of halftime.

Vinas scored his second in the 57th minute to leave Oviedo just six points from safety with seven games remaining.