Valencia must be grateful that David Villa decided to stay at the Mestalla stadium this season. The Spanish international striker scored two more this weekend against Deportivo to keep his side at the top of the table, and to take his own tally in the league to six. The other Valencia David, Silva, is out of action for several weeks after picking up a serious injury, but that has given an opportunity to Mata, who was also on target against the Galicians.

The ex Real Madrid Castilla forward could be the man to replace Silva in the Spanish side as well when Del Bosque announces his squad later this week. Almería's Negredo, one of Mata's ex team mates at Castilla, could also be given an outing for Spain soon. He scored his side's only goal on Sunday in the last minute against Recreativo, his fourth of the current campaign in five games.

Almería are the one surprise in the top six as the big favourites get in to gear. Real Madrid and Barcelona both won 1-2 away from home, also thanks to injury time goals. Van Nistelrooy scored Madrid's against Betis, his seventh of the season, and Messi converted a controversial penalty right at the end of a bad tempered local derby against Espanyol, joining Negredo, Van der Vaart and Sinama-Pongolle with four in the league to date. (29.09.08)