Football

Villarreal sparked to life in the second half to beat Osasuna, gaining ground on Athletic Bilbao in the chase for the Spanish league's last Champions League place.

The Brazil striker worked with the ball at Barcelona's training ground on Monday.

Napoli fell to a surprise 3-0 defeat at Atalanta in the Italian league on Sunday as German Denis struck twice against his former club.

Injury-plagued Bale will miss Real Madrid's trip to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday because of a slight calf strain.

Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw at Southampton, leaving the door open for one of their rivals to seize the Premier League lead.

The agreement is reported to be generating 30 million pounds a year for the Premier League leaders.

Essien has completed his move to AC Milan after spending eight-and-a-half years at Chelsea, the English Premier League club said on Monday.

"MUFC has reached agreement with Chelsea for the transfer of Juan Mata for a club record fee," United said on their Twitter feed.

Carrick is likely to be out for up to a month with an ankle injury in a further blow to the troubled Premier League champions.

Southampton suspended their club record signing Dani Osvaldo for two weeks on Thursday following an incident at the club's training ground.

According to The Telegraph, Mata is scheduled to undergo a medical on Thursday to seal the dramatic move in the mid-season transfer window.

Willian has brought a dynamism to the attacking midfield that has had Mourinho drooling and helped lift Chelsea into 3rd place.

Matri had only scored once in six months for AC Milan but now has more goals for Fiorentina after a brilliant first half.

Getafe erased a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw at home with Real Sociedad in the Spanish league on Sunday.

Hull was promoted from the English second tier last season and lies 10th in the Premier League.

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert says Ryan Bertrand will bring "big game experience" after signing the left back on loan from Chelsea.