MADRID — Diego Costa and David Villa delivered again for Atletico Madrid, whose Spanish league title charge continued to gain strength Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao.



Villa enjoyed Atletico’s best opportunities at the Vicente Calderon Stadium and put the host ahead after 32 minutes by volleying Juanfran’s headed-on cross through the crowded area into goal.



Nine minutes later, Koke delivered a perfect ball to Costa, who the cut back to dribble around Erik Moran and fire a low shot beyond goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz for his joint league-leading 13th goal of the season.



Bilbao rarely threatened and was reduced to 10 men in the 81st when Moran was shown a second yellow.



Atletico’s 11th win in 12 rounds left it one point behind leader Barcelona, which has 34 points following its 1-0 win over Espanyol Friday. Real Madrid, which beat Rayo Vallecano 3-2 Saturday, is third in the standings with 28 points.



Also Sunday, Valencia lifted some of the pressure of coach Miroslav Djukic with its first win in five rounds, a 1-0 victory at Getafe. Granada scored in stoppage time for a 1-0 win at Levante, while Malaga also needed an injury time winner from a late substitute to beat Real Betis 3-2.



Real Betis defender Damien Perquis broke his jaw in two places following a violent collision that left him unconscious in Sunday’s loss.



Perquis and Malaga striker Fabrice Olinga knocked heads early in the second half, with Perquis falling motionless to the ground before being taken by ambulance to a local hospital.



Betis says the Poland center back fractured his jaw in two places, but that he was conscious Monday. Perquis was set to be transferred to a Seville hospital where he would be evaluated by a specialist. — AFP