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La Liga: Villarreal Close Gap At Top, Valencia Slip Into Trouble

By IANS News January 11, 2026 • 09:30 AM View: 93

Giovani Lo Celso: Villarreal strengthened its position in third place in La Liga with a 3-1 win at home to Alaves.

With their victory over Deportivo Alaves (3–1), Villarreal CF have secured the best first half of a season in their history in the Primera Division, reaching 41 points and surpassing their best-ever tally after 19 La Liga matchdays.

Second-half goals from Alberto Moleiro, Gerard Moreno and Georges Mikautadze lifted Villarreal to within eight points of FC Barcelona and four of second-placed Real Madrid, with a game in hand, while Alaves reached the halfway point of the season just above the relegation zone.