Valencia joined Villarreal at the top of the Primera Liga on Thursday following a resounding 2-0 victory at Malaga.

David Villa's brace in the final 20 minutes - the second coming in stoppage time shortly after a red card for Malaga substitute Salva Ballesta - was enough to see off a spirited challenge by the Andalusians at La Rosaleda.

Almeria's unbeaten start to the season came to an end as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Real Valladolid.

Alvaro Rubio struck the opener midway through the second half and Haris Medunjanin added a second in stoppage time to give Valladolid their second home success of the campaign.

The win was marred slightly when Rubio was sent off following a second yellow card in the closing stages.

Athletic Bilbao came from a goal down to salvage a 1-1 draw against Recreativo Huelva.

Javi Guerrero gave Recre the lead after 71 minutes, but Athletic hit back just four minutes later through David Lopez.

And Real Mallorca recorded their first win of the new Primera Liga season after goals from Jose Manuel Jurado and Pierre Webo earned them a 2-0 triumph over Numancia.