Madrid - A 2-1 defeat of 10-man Espanyol on Saturday keeps Valencia in second place in the Spanish Liga - and leaves Espanyol third from bottom.

Valencia needed a goal eight minutes from time from supersub Vicente to break the resistance of an Espanyol side that had played with one man less for most of the game, due to the sending-off of veteran Francisco Rufete.

The late win leaves Unai Emery's team with 30 points from 15 games, five points less than leaders Barcelona, who are at home later Saturday to historic rivals Real Madrid.

Valencia are now one point ahead of third-placed Villarreal, who are at fourth-placed Sevilla on Sunday.

"We had to work very hard for this win," said Vicente. "Just because you are playing with an extra man doesn't mean that the game will be easy."

Argentine midfielder Roman Martinez gave Espanyol a shock lead in the 29th minute, with a hopeful shot that took a wicked deflection off David Albelda.

Ten minutes later, Rufete was harshly sent off for handball, and Espanyol had little option but to fall back and soak up the pressure.

Spain defender Raul Albiol made it 1-1 with a powerful low drive, after the Espanyol defence had failed to clear a corner.

The winning goal came in the 82nd minute, to the delight of the Mestalla crowd. David Villa set up Vicente down the left, and the winger scored with a low shot under keeper Carlos Kameni.

The other good news for Valencia was the return to action of Euro 2008 hero David Silva, after three months out with an ankle injury. (dpa)