MADRID, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Espanyol and Valencia both remain deep in relegation trouble in La Liga after the two sides drew 1-1 on Wednesday night.
The result of the game, which was originally postponed due to floods in the Valencia region that claimed more than 200 lives at the end of October, leaves Valencia bottom of the table with 11 points from 16 games, while Espanyol remains 18th, four more points ahead.
Javi Puado put Espanyol ahead in the 44th minute, with Diego Lopez leveling to save a point for Valencia two minutes after the break, and the forward saw a second "goal" ruled out for offside.
Valencia coach Ruben Baraja was expected to be sacked after his side lost 1-0 in Valladolid last Friday, but according to press reports, he kept his job because club owner Peter Lim was unwilling to pay the compensation for sacking him.
Baraja's side will play at home to Alaves on Sunday, and his future remains uncertain.
In Wednesday's second game, Villarreal missed a chance to close the gap on fourth-place Athletic Club Bilbao, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Rayo Vallecano.
Fullback Alvaro Garcia put Rayo in front in the 20th minute after a smart attack initially overturned for offside, and things looked bleak for Villarreal when defender Willy Kambwala was sent off in the 31st minute for a high challenge.
Ayoze Perez saved a point for 10-man Villarreal with a poacher's goal on the stroke of halftime, and although Rayo had the best chances after the break, Villarreal was able to hold on for a draw. ■
