Champions twice in the last four years, Valencia showed some of the style of the Rafa Benitez-era to beat this season's surprise package, although the visitors from Pamplona never threw in the towel.

Osasuna stay in second despite the defeat with 39 points from 19 games but are now just three in front of Valencia.

League leaders Barcelona have 43 points and could open up a gap of seven points at the top if they notch up their 12th successive league win against relegation-threatened Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

After squandering two chances, Valencia's Mario Regueiro made it third time lucky when he fired home at an angle from just inside the area a minute into injury time at the end of the first half.

Regueiro had come on as substitute after just 10 minutes when Spanish international Vicente Rodriguez twisted his right ankle while trying to shoot and was stretchered off in agony.

Valencia then went two ahead shortly after the break when David Villa was left in the clear to head home a Miguel Angel Angulo cross from wide out on the right.

However, arguably the star of the show was Valencia's former Spanish international goalkeeper Santiago Canizares, who pulled off four spectacular saves to keep a clean sheet.

Changing coach during the week didn't help Atletico Madrid as they went down 1-0 at struggling Real Betis.

Atletico's former reserve team coach Pepe Murcia was no more successful than his more illustrious predecessor Carlos Bianchi, who was sacked on Thursday, at finding a winning formula.

A 29th minute goal from 'Capi' Capitan grabbed three points for Betis in an evenly matched game and the Spanish capital's second side have now gone eight league matches without a win.

Capi's powerful right foot shot from just outside the area found the net after a horrendous error by Atletico defender Luis Perea, who sent the ball to the feet of Betis' new signing Robert.

Atletico had several good chances to equalise, with Spanish international Fernando Torres going close in both halves.

The win will give Betis, a Champions League contender this season, some respite from their relegation worries, having started the weekend third from bottom.