A magnificent goal by Marcos Senna (photo, left) keeps alive Villarreal's mathematical hopes of winning the title though a win for Real Madrid against Osasuna in Pamplona next weekend will ensure the trophy stays in the Santiago Bernabeu boardroom for a second consecutive year.

With Betis keeper Castro just a few yards off his line, the Spain midfielder struck from just past the halfway line with a breathtaking effort reminiscent of Xavi Alonso's for Liverpool against Luton and Newcastle in recent seasons.

The wins keeps the Castellón outfit above Barcelona, whose hopes of retaining the title have now evaporated in the wake of Saturday's below-par 2-0 defeat against Deportivo at the Riazor.

Valencia are now four points clear of the drop zone after their encouraging 3-0 success against Osasuna at the Riazor under new boss, Voro.

Local rivals Levante, however, have lost their relegation battle after falling 2-0 away from home against fellow strugglers, Recreativo de Huelva.

The battle for the fourth Champions League spot remains wide open as a result of Atlético Madrid's 1-1 draw against Getafe though fifth-placed Santander were beaten - 3-1 away to Mallorca - while Sevilla could only manage a goalless draw away to second-from-bottom, Murcia.

In Madrid last night, the holders' three goals against Athletic Bilbao were scored by Saviola, Robben and Higuain. A first half penalty save was required for Iker Casillas to keep a clean sheet after former Man Utd defender Gabriel Heinze brought down Llorente on the stroke of half-time. Spain's number one pulled off a reflex one-handed save to prevent Garmendia from levelling Saviola's 13th minute opener.

Sunday, 27th April
Valencia 3-0 Osasuna
Mallorca 3-1 Racing Santander
Valladolid 1-0 Almeria
Recreativo Huelva 2-0 Levante
Real Madrid 3-0 Athletic Bilbao
Real Betis 0-1 Villarreal
Espanyol 1-1 Real Zaragoza
Getafe 1-1 Atletico Madrid

Saturday, 26th April
Deportivo La Coruna 2-0 Barcelona
Murcia 0-0 Sevilla

Liga table, points after 34 games
1  Real Madrid  75
2  Villarreal  65
3  Barcelona  61
4  Atletico Madrid  55
5  Racing Santander  53
6  Sevilla  52
7  Deportivo La Coruna  49
8  Almeria  48
9  Real Mallorca  47
10 Espanyol  47
11 Athletic Bilbao  46
12 Real Betis  44
13 Getafe  42
14 Real Valladolid  42
15 Valencia  42
16 Osasuna  40
17 Recreativo Huelva  40
18 Real Zaragoza  38
19 Murcia  30
20 Levante  25

Saturday, 3rd May
Atletico Madrid vs Recreativo Huelva
Real Zaragoza vs Deportivo La Coruna

Sunday, 4th May
Almeria vs Real Betis
Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca
Levante vs Espanyol
Racing Santander vs Murcia
Sevilla vs Valladolid
Villarreal vs Getafe
Barcelona vs Valencia
Osasuna vs Real Madrid