Malaga's stout defense limited Villarreal to just one shot on goal, even after the hosts went down to 10 men for the final 15 minutes when Nordin Amrabat was shown a direct red for vehemently protesting to the referee.

Malaga beat Villarreal 2-0 at home on Monday to take a big step toward assuring its place in Spain's topflight next season.

Malaga's stout defense limited Villarreal to just one shot on goal, even after the hosts went down to 10 men for the final 15 minutes when Nordin Amrabat was shown a direct red for vehemently protesting to the referee.

Roque Santa Cruz chipped the ball over goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo from a tight angle to open the scoring in the sixth after the striker was played through by Samuel Sanchez.

Amrabat used his pace to race down the left side and waited for Sergi Darder to arrive unmarked in a second wave before he crossed for the midfielder to fire in the hosts' second goal in the 53rd.

Malaga climbed to the middle of the standings.