(Updates after Villarreal victory)
By Mark Elkington
MADRID, April 2 - Villarreal strengthened their
hold on a Champions League place after convincing 3-1 win over
Athletic Bilbao on Saturday moved them up to third in Primera
Liga.
Manuel Pellegrini's side, Spain's only remaining team in
European competition this season, now have 50 points and a game
in hand on second-placed Real Madrid, who are seven points ahead
of them.
Two goals from striker Jose Mari and a third from Uruguay
striker Diego Forlan, his 18th of the season, were too much for
Athletic, who had levelled the scores at 1-1 through striker
Santi Ezquerro.
Valencia missed out on the chance to move into the Champions
League places despite staging a fightback from 2-0 down to earn
a point against Real Zaragoza.
Substitute Bernardo Corradi pounced on a defensive error to
pull a goal back for the visitors in the 81st minute before
defender Marco Caneira stroked home the leveller soon after.
Caneira was later dismissed for a second yellow card.
Zaragoza had taken the lead against the run of play when
David Generelo scored with a fierce 30 metre shot just before
the break.
Valencia's David Albelda headed Savio's inswinging cross
into his own net after 50 minutes but Zaragoza failed to build
on their two-goal advantage.
Two goals in three minutes from Gari Uranga and Valery
Karpin all but guaranteed Real Sociedad's Primera Liga survival
as they swept aside struggling Osasuna 2-0.
League leaders Barcelona host third-placed Real Betis on
Sunday while Real, 11 points behind Barca, will look to
capitalise on any slip-ups when they travel to lowly Albacete.