Madrid  - Striker Frederic Kanoute hit a handsome hat-trick on Saturday, in Sevilla's 4-1 thrashing of hapless Valladolid.

The comfortable win consolidates Sevilla in third place in La Liga, six points ahead of fourth-placed Villarreal, who beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 earlier on Saturday.

Kanoute is in the best form of his career, at the ripe old age of 31. He started the rout after just eight minutes by turning in a centre from Koffi Romaric.

Henok Goitom made it 1-1 for Valladolid in the 22nd minute by heading in a free-kick from Fabian Canobbio.

But three minutes before half time, Kanoute restored Sevilla's lead with an acrobatic shot on a centre from Jesus Navas.

In the 58th minute, Luis Fabiano made it 3-1 on the break and Kanoute completed the rout with a powerful header 19 minutes from time, with the Valladolid defence in tatters.

Sevilla are six points behind third-placed Real Madrid, who are at home to Almeria on Sunday, and 12 behind leaders Barcelona, who face Malaga also on Sunday.

Earlier on Saturday, Villarreal needed late goals from Santi Cazorla and Matias Fernandez to beat cup finalists Athletic Bilbao 2- 0 at home.

Villarreal are now five points ahead of Atletico Madrid and Malaga, who share fifth place.

"It was really important for us to win tonight because our recent results have not been good," said Cazorla.

The first goal of a tight clash came in the 69th minute, when Cazorla broke the deadlock with a fierce drive after being set up by Guiseppe Rossi.

Rossi then squandered a good chance to add a second on the break.

Chilean supersub Fernandez made it 2-0 in injury time with a low drive, after picking his way through a tired Bilbao defence.

Bilbao - who were crippled by the sending-off of youngster Markel Susaeta - have not won on the road for almost three months now. (dpa)