Atletico Madrid fought back to beat Villarreal 3-1 at the Vicente Calderón last night after conceding an early goal. The win moves Atletico up to sixth in the table and back in the chase for European qualification. Meanwhile in yesterday's other game, Valencia missed out on the chance to move up into third after being held to a draw at home by Athletic Bilbao.

Villarreal had survived one or two early scares before being gifted an opener in the 15th minute with some sloppy defending at the back post, that left Fabricio Fuentes unmarked to head home a Riquelme free-kick.

After a disallowed goal for an alleged foul on keeper Barbosa, the home side levelled the scores in the 37th minute when Ze Castro glanced hom Pernia's free kick, taking the lead on the stroke of half-time, when Fernando Torres dusted himself down after being brought down by Ruben Cani to convert the resulting penalty.

In a second half played at a much reduced pace, Sergio Aguero chipped the keeper for Atletico's third with 25 minutes still remaining (photo), and any hopes of Villarreal staging the required comeback were dashed shortly afterwards when Jose Mari was given his marching orders for a dangerous tackle from behind on Seitardis.

In last night's televised game, Valencia were stunned by a last minute goal by Fernando Llorente that earned Athletic a point after Fernando Morientes, who has been recalled to international duty for next week's friendly against Rumania in Cádiz, had put the home side ahead shortly before the interval. 

Saturday, 11th November
Atletico Madrid 3-1 Villarreal
Valencia 1-1 Athletic Bilbao

Sunday, 12th November
Celta Vigo - Recreativo  
Getafe - Mallorca  
Gimnastic - Deportivo  
R Santander - Sevilla  
Real Betis - Levante  
Real Sociedad - Espanyol  
Osasuna - Real Madrid 
Barcelona - Real Zaragoza