An outrageous error from Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes allowed Valencia striker David Villa to score the winner just before half-time.

The result closed the gap between leaders Barcelona who have 52 points and second placed Valencia who bagged their 46th point, one ahead of third place Real Madrid who beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 on Saturday.

Valdes made a number of brilliant saves before the dreadful blunder that saw him clearing a Giovanni van Bronckhorst back pass into the path of Villa who chipped the ball home over the hapless keeper.

Barcelona, playing without midfield trio Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Deco, failed to infiltrate the Valencia defense as the home side operated on the break throughout the game.

In other matches, Alaves edged past Malaga 3-2, Atletico Madrid beat Real Sociedad 1-0, Racing Santander enjoyed a 2-0 win at Espanyol, Deportivo defeated Real Betis 1-0, Getafe held Mallorca to a 1-1 draw and Celta Vigo scrapped past Villarreal with a 1-0 win.