Villarreal CF's hopes of reining in Liga pacesetters FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF were dealt a blow with a 1-0 defeat by Getafe CF, who were reduced to nine men by the final whistle.

A win would have taken Juan Carlos Garrido's side to within two points of second-placed Madrid, who travel to Real Zaragoza on Sunday, and victory seemed all the more likely when Cata Díaz was sent off four minutes before half-time.

However, Villarreal failed to make their one-man advantage count and were stung on 89 minutes when Juan Albín grabbed the winner. Though Albín was subsequently sent off, the hosts held on for the win that leaves them in seventh place.

Sevilla FC, meanwhile, are tenth after slumping to their fourth straight league defeat, against lowly UD Almería. Fabián Vargas (48) and Pablo Piatti (81, 90) ensured Frédéric Kanouté's strike (83) could not prevent Almería from securing their first win in ten league matches and only their second all season to move them up a place to 18th.

Elsewhere, Sergio Agüero scored both goals as Club Atlético de Madrid prevailed 2-0 against RC Deportivo La Coruña to move level on points with Getafe.

Results

Standings

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