MADRID, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid had a comfortable win at home to Villarreal while Barcelona again dropped points and Atletico Madrid's title credentials were unmasked by a thrashing in Bilbao. Here are four things we learned this weekend in La Liga.

1. Easy for Real Madrid but Alaba is another important injury loss

Once Jude Bellingham had put them ahead with a goal midway though the first half, it was relatively comfortable for Real Madrid to beat Villarreal 4-1.

The visitors weren't helped by early injuries to Spain internationals Alex Baena and Gerard Moreno, but a side struggling for form looked limited once Bellingham nodded in his 13th league goal of the campaign.

The bad news for Madrid was a knee ligament injury suffered by David Alaba, which will keep him out for the rest of the season. With Eder Militao already out with the same injury, Real Madrid will have to now consider signing a central defender in January.

2. Barca disappoint again

Although they ended a run of consecutive defeats with a 1-1 draw away to Valencia, FC Barcelona did little to imply they are going to retain this season's La Liga title or to lift the pressure on Xavi Hernandez.

Barcelona had the better chances to win the game, but after Hugo Guillamon leveled for Valencia with a sumptuous curling shot, Valencia keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saved everything they threw at him in the closing minutes.

There was an improved display from Frenkie del Jong, while Pedri is getting more involved after his injury problems, but there was still little sign of the free-flowing football that typifies the best Barcelona sides.

Barca should end 2023 with three points at home to Almeria, but beating a team with five points from 17 games solves nothing.

3. Athletic Club makes their case at Atletico's expense

The best display of the weekend came from Athletic Club Bilbao, who celebrated the 125th anniversary of their foundation with a 2-0 win at home to Atletico Madrid.

The score doesn't tell the full story of a game the Basque side dominated for around 75 minutes, as they also hit the post twice, missed a penalty and drew a series of brilliant saves from Atletico keeper, Jan Olbak, and 5-0 would have been a better reflection of the play.

Athletic picked Atletico apart, with the pace and mobility of Nico and Inaki Williams in attack and Gorka Guruzeta's mobility. Meanwhile Oihan Sancet and Ander Herrera showed vision in midfield, while Dani Vivian and Inigo Lekue impressed at the back.

The win leaves Athletic fifth in the table, two points behind Atletico, three behind Barca and dreaming of a place in next season's Champions League.

4. Diego Alonso pays the price of Sevilla chaos

Former Uruguay coach, Diego Alonso is now also a former Sevilla coach after being sacked almost immediately after the club's shambolic defeat to Getafe on Saturday evening.

The loss means Sevilla only won two Copa del Rey games against rivals from the sixth and fifth levels of the Spanish game, during Alonso's nine weeks in charge, and they are now level on points with the relegation zone.

The results made it impossible for Alonso to stay, but he should not take full responsibility for the chaos at the club.

Earlier this season, Sevilla sacked Jose Luis Mendilibar, who last season led them to the Europa League title and saved them from relegation after Julen Lopetegui and Jorge Sampaoli had previously been sacked - Sevilla has had five coaches in 14 months.

Add to this vicious infighting in the boardroom and it's not hard to see how a powerful club is now battling to avoid the drop for the second consecutive season. Enditem

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