Villarreal ran out easy winners against Celta on Sunday. Getty Images

Villarreal thrashed Celta Vigo 5-0 to move into fifth place in La Liga.

Celta had won their last four games in all competitions and beat Barcelona 4-3 in their previous outing.

But Villarreal never looked back after Roberto Soriano scored twice in the opening 12 minutes, his first goals for The Yellow Submarine since joining from Sampdoria in August.

Cedric Bakambu -- who netted 22 times last season -- marked his first start of this campaign with a fine 38th-minute finish before Daniel Wass put through his own goal just after half-time.

Celta then had Sergi Gomez sent off for a second bookable offence three minutes from time and Manu Trigueros put the gloss on Villarreal's handsome win in stoppage time.

Villarreal are now unbeaten in nine games and victory took them within two points of Madrid neighbours Atletico and Real at the summit.

Cesare Prandelli made a winning start to life as Valencia coach as they leapfrogged opponents Sporting Gijon and climbed out of the bottom three with a 2-1 win at El Molinon.

Mario Suarez's second and third goals for Los Che proved decisive as the former Italy coach enjoyed a positive beginning to his time in Spain.

Carlos Castro's header cancelled out Suarez's first goal but he rifled in a close-range second with 25 minutes to go. Valencia defended fairly desperately at times but managed to hold on for three valuable points. For Sporting, it was a fifth consecutive LaLiga defeat.

Athletic Bilbao won their first Basque derby for four years on Sunday. Getty Images

Athletic Bilbao won their first Basque derby for over four years by beating arch-rivals Real Sociedad 3-2 at San Mames.

The home side last tasted victory in this fixture in March 2012 and it was one of the survivors of that team -- Iker Muniain -- who sparked the comeback after they fell behind to David Zurutuza's first-half goal.

In the last half-hour Aritz Aduriz and Inaki Williams took the game away from the visitors, both scoring and assisting the other, before Inigo Martinez's strike seven minutes from time set up a tense finish.

Roberto Rosales salvaged a point for Malaga with a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Alaves but their wait for an away league win continues.

Trailing to Deyverson's fourth goal in seven matches in the ninth minute, the visitors struck with five minutes to go when Rosales found the top corner from outside the penalty area.

While the goal earned Malaga a draw it meant their woeful run away from home went on, with their last victory on the road recorded on March 19.

Alaves at least managed to hold on to this season's unbeaten home record but will have been disappointed not to win this battle of two mid-table teams having created the majority of chances.