Villarreal beat Elche to move third in La Liga

Villarreal kept the chase alive against La Ligas leading sides thanks to a 3-1 victory away to Elche on Saturday.

The Yellow Submarine rose to third spot temporarily, sitting eight points adrift of table toppers Barcelona after playing one game fewer.

Saturday evening sees champions Barcelona take on local foes Espanyol, while Sunday brings second placed Real Madrid against Real Betis at home. Fourth ranked Atletico Madrid head to Real Sociedad on Sunday.

The loss to Barcelona ahead of the winter pause proved a hurdle for Marcelino Garcia Torals Villarreal, yet they launched into the fresh year with a solid success at the Martinez Valero venue.

Alberto Moleiro along with Georges Mikautadze put the away side ahead firmly in under 13 minutes through sharp strikes.

Martim Neto clawed back a goal for Elche via a effort from near the penalty areas boundary, though Alfonso Pedraza confirmed Villarreal triumph towards the end by darting through and keeping cool to slot beyond Inaki Pena.