Joseba Llorente scored twice, putting Villarreal ahead in the 15th minute with a well-taken right-footed shot and increasing the lead in the 52nd. French winger Robert Pires and Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi also got on the scoreboard in the 47th and 51st respectively. Ruben “Cani” Garcia scored the fifth two minutes from the end.

Also Sunday, Valencia beat last-place Malaga 1-0, Espanyol drew 1-1 with Valladolid, Mallorca edged Racing Santander 1-0, Zaragoza beat Almeria 2-1 and Deportivo La Coruna drew 1-1 with Sporting Gijon.

At El Madrigal stadium, Villarreal looked vulnerable early on without defensive midfielder Marcos Senna and Tenerife's midfield was in control for much of the first half.

Tenerife's Alejandro Alfaro seemed certain to score when put through by Julian Omar in the 22nd, but he shot straight at goalkeeper Diego Lopez. Teammate Juan Francisco “Nino” Martinez missed another clear chance soon after.

At Malaga's La Rosaleda, David Navarro gave Valencia the lead in the 68th, heading into an empty net after goalkeeper Gustavo Munua was caught out of position by Pablo Hernandez's cross.

David Villa had spotted Munua off his line and attempted to lob him with a header in the fifth minute, but the goalkeeper managed to reach it.

Malaga enjoyed several clear chances early on with Antonio “Apono” Galdeano and Victor Obinna both coming close for the hosts.

Valencia threatened on the counterattack, yet failed to convert a string of decent chances.

Hernandez raced down the left in the 24th and, although he had David Silva and Villa well positioned in space to his right, he attempted a long shot that went wide.

Malaga pressured as the clock ticked down, with Obinna coming close on several occasions. However, Valencia held on for the win to give it 18 points, five behind Barcelona. Malaga stays bottom of the standings on four points.