Villarreal players celebrate their classification for the next year's UEFA Champions League at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on May 1, 2016. PHOTO: AFP
The Yellow Submarine are now guaranteed at least a place in the Champions League qualifiers for the first time in four years, but could gain direct entry to the group stages should they go on to win the club’s first major honour in the Europa League.
First-half goals from Samuel Garcia and Adrian Lopez moved Villarreal six points clear of Athletic Bilbao with two games to play.
Europa League: Conservative approach led to Liverpool’s fall in first leg
However, Marcelino’s men can be overtaken by the Basques due to their superior head-to-head record.
Meanwhile, Athletic leapfrogged Celta Vigo into fifth as they came from behind to beat the Galicians 2-1 earlier on Sunday.
Villarreal strike late against Liverpool, Sevilla draw at Shakhtar
At the bottom of the table, Getafe gave their chances of survival a huge boost with a 2-0 win at 10-man Deportivo la Coruna thanks to goals from Pedro Leon and Carlos Vigaray.
Getafe are now tied with Sporting Gijon and Rayo Vallecano on 35 points, but remain in the bottom three due to their inferior head-to-head record against Rayo.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 3rd, 2016.
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