Comeback kings Villarreal edge closer to Barca

Villarreal showed the spirit of champions coming from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Getafe in a thrilling encounter at El Madrigal stadium on Saturday.

A share of the points mean Villarreal close to within three points of league leaders Barcelona although Pep Guardiola's team can stretch their lead to six points as they have a game in hand.

In a classic game of two halves Getafe scored three times in the first half and looked set for another giant-killing act after defeating Real Madrid 3-1 last weekend.

However, Villarreal gave their home fans a scintillating performance after the interval with Robert Pires pulling a goal back before Sebastian Eguren and Giuseppe Rossi struck in the final seven minutes of regulation time.

Villarreal will certainly settle for the draw after being 3-0 down but coach Manuel Pellegrini will be concerned that his team have failed to win any of their last four home matches.

For Getafe coach Victor Munoz, who coached Villarreal from 2000 to 2003, there will be a great sense of disappointment although his team are unbeaten against last season's top three after defeating rivals Real and drawing with Barcelona and Villarreal.

It was a goal-packed Saturday in the Spanish top-flight with Atletico Madrid climbing to fifth with a thumping 5-2 win at Sporting Gijon.

Sporting took a fourth minute lead through Mate Bilic but Argentine Sergio “Kun” Aguero scored a first half brace to turn the game in Atletico's favour.

Diego Forlan scored twice and Maxi Rodriguez was also in target in the second half as Atletico ran riot.

Atletico moved above Sevilla – who are in action against Real Madrid on Sunday – on goal difference.

Leaders Barcelona can stretch their lead at the top to six points when they entertain fellow title contenders Valencia at Camp Nou in Saturday's late match.

Valencia played in the UEFA Cup on Thursday, drawing 1-1 with Club Brugge, and coach Unai Emery showed that the league is their priority by resting a number of first team players.

Champions Real Madrid host Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday looking to bounce back from their 3-1 derby defeat to Getafe.

Real are six points behind Barca in the title race and can't afford to slip up ahead of next weekend's 'El Clasico' at Camp Nou.

Injuries have plagued Real of late and they received bad news on Saturday with Mali international Mahamadou Diarra set to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his knee which could sideline him for up to six months.