MADRID, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Spain international David Villa scored twice as Valencia defeated Deportivo La Coruna 4-2 to remain top of Spain's Primera Liga.

    Victories at the weekend of Barcelona and Real Madrid failed to challenge Valencia's top position.

    An own goal from Moretti had given the visitors a first-half lead. But Juan Mata leveled the scores before the break and Villa assured the points with two second-half strikes.

    Joaquin Sanchez also scored for Valencia, while Lafita netted a late consolation for the visitors.

    The weekend had kicked off with controversy on Saturday night.

    An injury time penalty from Leo Messi gave Barcelona a 2-1 win over local rivals Espanyol, but there was criticism for referee Medina Cantalejo for making the decision, when TV replays showed there was probably no foul in a tackle on Barca striker Samuel Eto' o.

    In a match played in an atmosphere of tension, Espanyol had taken a first half lead thanks to a goal from Coro.

    The game was stopped for 10 minutes in the second half after a section of the Barcelona supporters threw flares into a group of Espanyol fans and after that disruption Barca turned the game around.

    Thierry Henry rode his luck before scoring from close range following a rebound. Just as it looked as if the game would end as a draw Messi scored that vital and controversial penalty.

    Real Madrid also left it late away to Betis. Bernd Schuster's team took the lead through Gabriel Heinze's 18th minute header.

    Sergio Garcia leveled matters seven minutes into the second period after an action that saw Madrid left back Marcelo sent off. But he was also sent off nine minutes from time.

    With the clock ticking down, Ruud van Nistelrooy scored Madrid's winning goal in typical style, receiving the ball in the Betis area and scoring with a low angled drive.

    Meanwhile Saturday also saw Villarreal maintain their excellent start to the season with a 1-0 win in Gijon.

    Sporting had lost their previous matches 6-1 and 7-1. Although they performed much better against Villarreal, striker Guiseppe Rossi scored the only goal of the game with 25 minutes remaining, with the Sporting players claiming a clear handball in the build-up.

    Sunday afternoon saw Sevilla defeat Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the Vicente Calderon stadium.

    Luis Fabiano's free kick was enough to give the visitors all three points and lifts them up to forth in the table.

    Elsewhere Athletic Bilbao lost 1-0 at home to Getafe, who had goalkeeper Jacobo to thank for a fine performance before Casquero scored the only goal of the game with a magnificent chip three minutes from time.

    Osasuna are still unable to win. They drew 0-0 with Numancia, while an injury time goal from Alvaro Negredo gave Almeria three points against Recreativo Huelva.

    Malaga scored their first two goals of the season and claimed their first win as they defeated Valladolid 2-1, while Racing Santander are deep in trouble following a 2-1 home defeat to Mallorca.