Villarreal defeat to bitter rival Real
Sociedad on Monday ushers in Atletico Madrid and Sevilla will finish in La
Liga's top four.
An excellent run of form since the restart had thrust
fifth-placed Villarreal into Champions League contention but they were unable
to close the gap and will now have to focus on securing a spot in the Europa
League.
Real Sociedad had been fourth
when La Liga resumed last month but, in contrast, their form collapsed. This
victory was only their second in nine games but at least gives them of making
the top seven.
Atletico and Sevilla are both
nine points clear of Sevilla with two games left. They will join Barcelona and
Real Madrid as Spain's four representatives in the Champions League next term.
Willian Jose and Diego
Llorente both headed in to put Real Sociedad in control but Santi Cazorla's
consolation strike could prove important for Villarreal, as it prevents la Real
owning the superior head-to-head record.
Villarreal beat Real Sociedad
by the same scoreline in January.
Fifth place for Villarreal
would mean avoiding the qualification phase of the Europa League. They sit
three points clear of Getafe and Real Sociedad in sixth and seventh
respectively.
Mean while, Getafe were held
to a goalless draw by relegation side Deportivo Alaves.
The stalemate earns what could
prove a vital point for 17th-placed Alaves, who have a four-point cushion over
Leganes and Real Mallorca with two games left.
One more win will guarantee
Alaves' remains in the Spanish top flight league..
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