Atletico Madrid kept up the pace in second place in the BBVA Primera Liga on Thursday night when they won 2-1 away to Granada.

Two penalties mean Atletico are still just two points behind league leaders FC Barcelona with 30 points from a possible 33.

Diego Costa, who earlier in the week confirmed he wants to play his international football for Spain, scored the first goal of the game after a slight push on David Villa seven minutes before halftime and David Villa scored the second penalty of the night after he had suffered another foul in the Granada area.

Odion Ighalo pulled a late consolation goal back for Granada in injury time after Atletico had been reduced to 10 men after Felipe Luis had been sent off after seeing his second yellow card of the night.

Villarreal were also victims of a smash and grab raid in their home ground as Getafe won 2-0 in El Madrigal.

Ciprian Marica took advantage of a horrible error from Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo, who made a mess of a clearance midway through the first half to put Getafe in front.

Villarrreal played for 52 minutes with 10 men after central defender Sergio Iniguez was sent off for a professional foul and Pablo Sarabia secured the points for the visitors with Getafe's second goal of the night in injury time.

Villarrreal remain in fourth place as Athletic Club Bilbao were unable to win at home to Elche, although the Basque's staged a stirring recovery after finding themselves 0-2 down early in the second half following goals from David Lomban and Alvaro Niguez early in the second half.

However, Athletic showed their usual personality and goals from Markel Susaeta and Aritz Aduriz gave them a point which could have been three after they dominated the second 45 minutes.

Finally Betis remain in the relegation zone after a 0-0 draw at home to Levante, but can be content after playing for an hour with just 10 men after Chica was sent off on the half hour.

Tuesday saw Barcelona win 3-0 in Vigo, while Real Madrid won a chaotic match 7-3 at home to Sevilla on Wednesday.