AFP - Serbian substitute Nikola Zigic scored a stoppage time winner as Valencia defeated Espanyol 1-0 on Saturday to move into third spot as the Spanish league season resumed after its winter break.

The giant Zigic came off the bench on 63 minutes and proved the match winner firing in a great cross from Joaquin in the second minute of injury time to go third, two points above Sevilla.

Valencia were without David Silva and Pablo Hernandez due to injury so the attacking onus fell on Spanish international David Villa.

Villa, the league's top-scorer with 12 goals, had a personal duel with Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Kameni who twice denied him in the second half.

The Cameroon goalkeeper thwarted Villa in the 52nd minute with his shot lacking sufficient power and was on hand again three minutes later to foil Villa.

Espanyol had not won away in the league since mid-September and it showed as they clung on although Luis Garcia had a chance to put his side ahead in the final quarter of an hour.

When Villa finally beat Kameni he was denied by the post with his header hitting the woodwork on 76 minutes as Valencia's frustrations continued.

It looked like Valencia would drop more valuable points at home - something that has been their problem so far - but Zigic sealed a late win and tore off his shirt to celebrate.

Leaders Barcelona are at home to an improving Villarreal later on Saturday as they bid to continue where they left off in 2009.

Last year was Barca's best in their history when they won all six competitions they entered and they start 2010 with a two-point lead over Real Madrid at the top.

"A chapter has been closed," said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. "Now there is nothing more we can win until the end of the season. We begin in a good position and we shall see what we can do."

Real are in action on Sunday when they travel to Pamplona to face Osasuna and build on their 6-0 rout of Real Zaragoza before Christmas.

"Their stadium is a difficult venue to play in," said Real coach Manuel Pellegrini.

"I don't think they will be easy to defeat. Barcelona failed to do so. We must showcase the spirit we had in December."

Later on Saturday troubled Atletico Madrid host fading title contenders Sevilla at the Vicente Calderon.

Atletico are two points above the relegation zone after a disastrous first half of the season while Sevilla trail leaders Barcelona by nine points.

Sevilla are still recovering from the news that 23-year-old defender Sergio Sanchez who has been sidelined with a heart condition.

"He's a young kid, with a splendid future and a meteoric career and the fact he has had this setback now is a blow," Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido.