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| David Villa knows where the goal is [AFP] |
David Villa rose above the mediocrity to score both goals for Valencia in a 2-0 victory at promoted Malaga that returned them to the top of the Primera Liga.
Real Mallorca bagged their first win of the season against Numancia, Almeria lost their first match at Real Valladolid and Recreativo Huelva drew with Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.
Hot Villa
Spain striker Villa reiterated why he is one of the hottest properties in world football as he continued Valencia's storming start in La Liga.
The forward was alert to head Juan Mata's pull-back into the net after 71 minutes and, after Malaga were reduced to 10 men at the end, he sped away unopposed to score his fourth of the campaign.
Up to that point Malaga, who were seeking their first goal of the season, had looked the most likely to score in a game of little quality.
Striker Nabil Baha missed the best chance firing straight at a defender on the line with the Valencia keeper beaten.
Valencia are top on goal difference with 10 points from four games, ahead of Villarreal, who beat Racing Santander 2-0 at home on Wednesday.
Malaga lie second-bottom above league whipping-boys Sporting Gijon.
Pierre pressure
Elsewhere on Thursday, midfielder Jurado and Cameroon striker Pierre Webo scored the goals in Real Mallorca's 2-0 victory over promoted Numancia, their first win this season.
Jurado scored a fine goal, dribbling past three defenders and round the keeper early on.
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| Jurado set Mallorca on the way to their first win [GALLO/GETTY] |
Cameroon striker Pierre Webo made sure of their first win with a near post header at a corner just after the restart.
Back to Earth
Real Valladolid sent high-flying Almeria to their first defeat, wrapping up a 2-0 home victory.
Midfielder Alvaro Rubio's free kick passed over everyone and inside the far post midway through the second half.
Rubio was sent off for his second bookable offence near the end and, in time added on, Bosnian-born midfielder Haris Medunjanin floated a great lob over the stranded keeper for the second.
Almeria remain in seventh behind Barcelona.
Two goals, dull match
Recreativo Huelva striker Javi Guerrero broke the offside trap to snap a low shot back across goal and give the home side the lead in a dull match with Athletic Bilbao that ended 1-1.
Bilbao levelled when Recre keeper Asier Riesgo left a large gap at his near post and David Lopez's cross-cum-shot found its way through.
Recre lie 14th, with Bilbao 10th.
Champions Real Madrid and city rivals Atletico Madrid, who both won on Wednesday, are third and fourth respectively with nine points. Sevilla are a point back in fifth.
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