BARCELONA (AFP) - Barcelona striker David Villa ended his goal drought in the 2-0 victory over Osasuna and admitted it was a timely strike as his team aim for a Spanish and Champions League double. While the attention was on Lionel Messi, who continued his amazing season by becoming the first player to hit 50 goals in a Spanish season, Villa was also celebrating his opener in Saturday's game. The player from Gijon went eleven games without hitting the target -- almost two months -- and one of the longest droughts in his career. He slotted home comfortably from a Jeffren Isaias cross as Barcelona maintained their eight-point lead at the top of the table after Real Madrid had defeated Valencia 6-3. Both, they and Real, rested players ahead of their mouth-watering clash in the semi-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday. Real will have the psychological advantage after beating the Catalan side in the King's Cup final and the manner of their 6-3 victory over Valencia will further boost their confidence. Gonzalo Higuain will be looking to force his way into the Real side after he bagged a hat-trick while Kaka also scored twice. "It was a difficult game due to the effort both physically and mentally that we put in the King's Cup. We won and we have maintained the same distance at the top so it is an important step forward," said Villa. "Although I hadn't been scoring the most important thing was that the team was winning and scoring, I work hard but it is the team that counts. It is now going to be very different match in the Champions League and we need to go out believing in ourselves. We are just one step from the final and we have the desire and hope to get there." The battle for the Europa League places remains tight as Sevilla and Atletico Madrid followed up Athletic Bilbao's win over Real Sociedad with victories on Sunday. Sevilla remain in sixth after they took advantage of a slow start from Villarreal, whose minds were on their upcoming Europa League semi-final with Porto, to win 3-2. They went ahead within 15 minutes through Ivan Rakitic and Alvaro Negredo before Carlos Marchena pulled a goal back. Koffi Romaric added a third for the home side but substitute Giuseppe Rossi, who had been held in reserve, added a second and went tantalisingly close to an equaliser but his shot came back off the post. "This was a big win against a strong side that made us suffer for it. Villarreal are a team of quality players with good technique so it is difficult to get the ball off them," said Sevilla coach Gregorio Manzano. Villarreal coach Juan Carlos Garrido rued the poor start by his side. "We deserved more from the game but conceding a goal so early affected us and we ended up letting in another," he said. "After that we had more of the ball and in the second half we went for the game and did enough to deserve at least a draw." Atletico are behind Sevilla on goal difference after beating an in-form Levante 3-1. Elias Mendes put Atletico ahead and while Levante drew level from the penalty spot through Felipe Caicedo, Sergio Aguero then hit a brace, the second again with a penalty kick and keeper Gustavo Munua put the ball through his own goal. Nacho Novo gave Sporting Gijon a 1-0 victory over Espanyol to practically assure their top-flight future by taking them over the 40-point mark.