Valencia and Villarreal continue challenge for top four places

Valencia took advantage of the fact that none of their rivals at the top of the table were in action on Friday night to move back into the top four thanks to a 3-2 win at home to Almeria.

Dani Parejo and Rodrigo twice put Valencia ahead against their struggling rivals only to be pegged back on occasions almost immediately by goals from Almeria forward Tomar Hemed.

However, just when the game looked to be slipping towards a draw, Alvaro Negredo powered home a powerful header, which not only puts his side ahead of Sevilla, but level on points with Atletico Madrid.

Villarreal also remain in the battle to qualify for Europe after a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Athletic Club Bilbao, who remain in freefall.

Denis Cherychev opened the scoring with a fine individual goal shortly before halftime and Bruno Soriano assured the points with a penalty with 8 minutes remaining.

Elsewhere Real Sociedad slipped deeper into relegation trouble following a 1-0 home defeat against Rayo Vallecano.

Neither side had really threatened to score in a game marked by s host of errors in midfield by both sides until Manucho rose to head home Roberto Trashorras' corner nine minutes from time.

It was the Angolan striker's second goal in 19 appearances this season, but means Rayo reach the halfway point of the season with 23 points.

The weekend kicked off on Friday with a 1-1 draw between Cordoba and Eibar, while Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid all play on Sunday. Endi