UPDATE 2-Soccer-Mari double helps Villarreal up to third

— -- (Updates after Villarreal victory) By Mark Elkington MADRID, April 2 - Villarreal strengthened their hold on a Champions League place after convincing 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday moved them up to third in Primera Liga. Manuel Pellegrini's side, Spain's only remaining team in European competition this season, now have 50 points and a game in hand on second-placed Real Madrid, who are seven points ahead of them. Two goals from striker Jose Mari and a third from Uruguay striker Diego Forlan, his 18th of the season, were too much for Athletic, who had levelled the scores at 1-1 through striker Santi Ezquerro. Valencia missed out on the chance to move into the Champions League places despite staging a fightback from 2-0 down to earn a point against Real Zaragoza. Substitute Bernardo Corradi pounced on a defensive error to pull a goal back for the visitors in the 81st minute before defender Marco Caneira stroked home the leveller soon after. Caneira was later dismissed for a second yellow card. Zaragoza had taken the lead against the run of play when David Generelo scored with a fierce 30 metre shot just before the break. Valencia's David Albelda headed Savio's inswinging cross into his own net after 50 minutes but Zaragoza failed to build on their two-goal advantage. Two goals in three minutes from Gari Uranga and Valery Karpin all but guaranteed Real Sociedad's Primera Liga survival as they swept aside struggling Osasuna 2-0. League leaders Barcelona host third-placed Real Betis on Sunday while Real, 11 points behind Barca, will look to capitalise on any slip-ups when they travel to lowly Albacete.