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Real Madrid's Liga title hopes were all but ended when they slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Valencia at La Mestalla.

Goals from Juan Manuel Mata, David Silva and Ruben Baraja gave Los Che a comfortable victory against a poor Madrid side who have shipped nine goals in their last two Liga matches.

Valencia dominated the match and could have won by five or six goals while Los Merengues - still smarting from their 6-2 home defeat to Barcelona last weekend - offered nothing going forward and little resistance in defence.

Iker Casillas made a world-class save in the sixth minute when he clawed Baraja's header from behind him after a Joaquin cross, but that was his only positive contribution on a terrible night for the Spain number one.

Within 60 seconds Valencia had another great chance but Casillas blocked Villa's finish and Silva's effort from the rebound was deflected just wide.

They eventually took the lead on 28 minutes thanks to an outstanding one-touch move that involved Silva and Villa and culminated in Mata skipping away from Fabio Cannavaro and drilling a low shot in off Casillas's legs.

Madrid were all over the place. After another counter-attack, Villa almost grabbed a second within a minute but his low drive went inches wide.

Sixty seconds later they were two goals up after a dreadful error by Casillas allowed Silva's near-post effort to squirm into the back of the net.

Casillas looked anything but the best keeper in the world and almost fumbled a Mata shot into the back of the net for a third before half-time, although this time it spun wide for a corner.

There was little change in the second half.

Baraja should have scored but he fired over after a one-two with Villa, who backheeled the ball into the veteran midfielder's path.

He finally got his goal and it was well worth the wait, a sweet left-foot volley from the edge of the box from Pablo Hernandez's lofted pass.

The shot zipped off the turf and nestled into the bottom left corner with the helpless Casillas flying across but unable to get a touch.

Villa spurned a great chance to rub salt into the wounds of Madrid boss Juande Ramos when he delayed uncharacteristically when put through, allowing Christoph Metzelder to block.

Barca, seven points clear with four games left to Real's three, can now win the title if they beat Villarreal at home on Sunday.

Valencia, meanwhile, stay fourth and close the gap on third-placed Sevilla to one point.

Luis Fabiano won a penalty and scored a superb goal to help Sevilla beat Mallorca 3-1 at home.

Sevilla tightened their hold on third place and the last automatic Champions League qualification slot, moving them seven points ahead of fourth-placed Valencia, who host Real Madrid later on Saturday.

Aritz Aduriz had given Mallorca an early lead before Brazil striker Fabiano was brought down for a penalty as he surged into the area.

Frederic Kanoute's dummy sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot, before Fabiano spun away from his marker in midfield and burst away from three defenders to net Sevilla's second on the hour mark.

Jesus Navas jinked in off the right wing to seal the win with a fierce drive into the far top corner.

Athletic Bilbao secured their top-flight future with a 1-0 home win over Real Betis.

Athletic coach Joaquin Caparros's gamble to rest a large number of first-team regulars ahead of Wednesday's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona paid off at San Mames.

Ion Velez sidefooted home a well-worked move after 29 minutes and Athletic's reserve goalkeeper Armando was alert to keep out Betis, who remain just three points above the drop zone.

Reda Maher / Reuters