Villarreal fell to a 2-1 defeat at Getafe on Saturday in a blow to their hopes of a top-four LaLiga finish.
The Yellow Submarine, currently sitting fourth, were far from their best and Mauro Arambarri sent the hosts ahead from the penalty spot shortly before the break.
Martin Satriano extended Getafe's lead early in the second half, with Georges Mikautadze pulling one back for Villarreal, but Marcelino Garcia Toral's team could not find an equaliser.
Real Betis, fifth, could move within four points of Villarreal if they beat Mallorca on Sunday.
Later Saturday, Real Madrid have the chance to move provisionally top of LaLiga when they host Real Sociedad, while leaders Barcelona visit Girona on Monday.