Malaga boosted their survival hopes with a shock victory over Real Mallorca while Espanyol overcame fellow strugglers Almeria.
Malaga claimed only their second victory of the season as UEFA Champions League hopefuls Real Mallorca were undone at La Rosaleda.
Fernando Miguel fired the home side in front in the 24th minute only for Julio Alvarez to level for the visitors 11 minutes into the second period.
But substitute Fernando Forestieri stepped off to fire home the winning goal 13 minutes from time to claim three crucial points.
Espanyol halted a run of five successive defeats with a 2-0 home victory over Almeria to move four points clear of the relegation places.
Javi Marquez made the vital breakthrough for the hosts on the stroke of half-time, with their success sealed by substitute Ferran Corominas' 82nd-minute effort.
Real Valladolid were also indebted to one of their replacements with Haris Medunjanin emerging from the bench to hit a last-gasp winner against Sporting Gijon.
Luis Moran had put visitors Gijon ahead in the 13th minute before Nivaldo levelled for the hosts just before the half-hour mark.
Villarreal took the points from their meeting with struggling Racing Santander as Giuseppe Rossi (51) and Joseba Llorente (72) found the net.
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