La Liga: Gareth Bale Returns As Real Madrid Held By Villarreal

Real Madrid were held to a goalless draw at Villarreal on Saturday despite the return from a lengthy injury absence of Gareth Bale. The La Liga leaders' slip-up will give renewed hope to title rivals Sevilla after their 2-0 win over Elche on Friday. Carlo Ancelotti's Real moved four points clear of second-placed Sevilla at the top as they look to regain the crown they lost to Atletico Madrid last season. Real top La Liga on 54 with Sevilla on 50 and Real Betis are third way back on 40 points.

Struggling champions Atletico Madrid edged Getafe 4-3 in Saturday's late match to climb to fourth on 39 points but trail Real by a distant 15 points.

Angel Correa scored twice and Matheus Cunha was also on the mark before Mario Hermoso volleyed Atletico's winner on 89 minutes.

Getafe led briefly in the first-half after rallying from 2-0 down with goals from Borja Mayoral and two penalties from Enes Unal, but bowed eventually to relentless pressure from the hosts.

Real also struggled in their first half before creating chances after the break but could not find the net.

They have scored just once in their last three games.

"With a little more accuracy and luck, we could have scored. We had three close calls with the goalkeeper, hit the crossbar twice," said Ancelotti.

"I'm worried about the team when we don't look for a chance to score, we looked for it. We lacked effectiveness."

The draw moves Unai Emery's Villarreal up to fifth, only two points behind Barcelona in the fourth and final Champions League spot.

Real Madrid will now turn their focus to Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg at Paris Saint-Germain.

Bale was surprisingly named in the starting line-up for his first appearance for Real Madrid since August.

He has