Villarreal consolidated third place on the Spanish La Liga table after a comfortable 3-0 away win over Real Zaragoza.
Marcos Senna and Santi Cazorla gave Villarreal a 2-0 lead after just 18 minutes, and Nilmar added a third just after the hour mark to seal the win and ensure Javier Aguirre's first home game in charge of Zaragoza will be one he is keen to forget.
The win moved Villareal to 27 points from their 13 games, four behind second-placed Barcelona and two clear of fourth-placed Espanyol, who enjoyed a thrilling 3-2 win away from home against Atletico Madrid.
Pablo Osvaldo scored the winner with just 12 minutes remaining for Espanyol, after they had twice given up a one-goal lead.
Luis Garcia put them ahead after 22 minutes from the penalty spot before Tiago levelled on the stroke of half-time.
Joan Verdu restored the visitors' advantage eight minutes after the break, but again Atletico responded - this time through Sergio Aguero.
Espanyol finally made sure of all three points thanks to a crisp volley from Osvaldo after a nice cross from Garcia.
And Getafe moved to ninth place on the league table after a 3-1 away win over seventh-placed Sevilla.
Frederic Kanoute put Sevilla ahead after half an hour, but Getafe came out a different side in the second half and were soon back on level terms after Manu slotted home a penalty.
Miku put them ahead just two minutes later, and Pedro Rios added a third 13 minutes from full time.