Senna celebrates landmark, Villarreal close on top two

Veteran Spanish international Marcos Senna celebrated becoming Villarreal’s all-time record league appearance holder with a fine opening goal as his side won 3-0 at 10-man Real Zaragoza on Saturday to close to within five points of league leaders Real Madrid.

The 34-year-old Senna, a Euro 2008 winner with Spain, made his 220th league outing for Villarreal to beat the previous best of Argentine Rodolfo Arruabarrena and scored a superb goal to boot, firing in a long distance shot in the eighth minute.

Spanish international winger Santi Cazorla, who along with Senna was left out of Spain’s World Cup winning squad, doubled Villarreal’s lead on 17 minutes and Brazilian international forward Nilmar weighed in with his eighth league goal of the season on 65 minutes.

Zaragoza had been reduced to ten men shortly before the third goal went in with Italian defender Mateo Contini sent off for a second bookable offence.

The win sees third-placed Villarreal close the gap on duo Barcelona and Real Madrid, four and five points ahead respectively, who face off on Monday in the first Clasico of the season at Camp Nou. Zaragoza prop up the table as new coach Javier Aguirre waits for his first win in charge

In other matches, Sevilla host Getafe later on Saturday trying to improve on their current position of seventh.

“I want to see a more ambitious side that is in the game from the first minute,” said Sevilla coach Gregorio Manzano.

Later on Saturday Atletico Madrid host high-flying Espanyol at the Vicente Calderon looking to move into the Champions League spots.

Espanyol are currently fourth in the standings, two points above Atletico, and their Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino has vowed to attack in the Spanish capital.

“We will be aggressive, brave and try to hurt them,” said Pochettino. “They are the Europa League holders and have the best player at the recent World Cup in Diego Forlan. We know how to stop them on the blackboard but we have to carry out that plan.”

The big game in Spain takes place on Monday night when champions Barcelona host league leaders Real Madrid at Camp Nou in an eagerly-anticipated first Clasico of the season.

Barcelona have won the last four meetings between the two sides on their way to winning back to back league titles, however, Real are hoping coach Jose Mourinho can bring an end to their losing streak and win his maiden Clasico.

Unbeaten Real are one point above their bitter rivals and an open attacking game is expected from two teams that have been plundering goals of late.

“We are a point ahead in the league but we won’t be settling for a point at Camp Nou,” promised Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas.

A lot has been made of Mourinho’s presence having masterminded a Champions League semi-final win over Barcelona with old club Inter Milan last season, however, Barca captain Carles Puyol played down the importance of the Portuguese coach.

“We are not playing (Jose) Mourinho we are playing Real Madrid,” said Carles Puyol. “They (Real) are a team very solid defensively and good on the counter attack. We know it will be a complicated game.”