Valencia lifted themselves into second-place with a crucial 1-0 win over Celta Vigo last night.
Valencia join Real on 59 points but if the two teams finish level at the end of the season it's Los Che who will finish ahead because of a superior head-to-head record.
However, neither club look capable of catching defending champions Barcelona who should now be crowned champions next weekend.
Angulo fired wide with an early salvo for Valencia while Celta's first significant effort came after 14 minutes from Fabian Canobbio who was equally wayward.
A good chance went begging for Valencia when Mario Regueiro miscontrolled the ball in the penalty area and then - after 21 minutes - Villa fired wide with his left foot.
The visitors were beginning to step up the pace and five minutes later a Ruben Baraja header failed to find the target.
Just before the half-hour mark came the opening goal with a delightful piece of finishing from Angulo.
A long ball was hoofed up field towards Regueiro who did well to lay it back to Angulo who rifled a right-footed shot into the Celta net from the edge of the area.
Celta substitute Jesus Perera could have scored but his shot was well saved by Canizares after good work from Canobbio.
Perera then set up Baiano who failed to find the target with his left foot.
With 11 minutes to play Valencia threatened a second goal but Pinto was able to catch an attempt from goalscorer Angulo.
Celta's own European ambitions now seem limited to the UEFA Cup by this result but Valencia know that if they match Real in the remainder of the season - and stay clear of the chasing teams - they will deny Los Merengues an automatic place in the Champions League.
Valencia join Real on 59 points but if the two teams finish level at the end of the season it's Los Che who will finish ahead because of a superior head-to-head record.
However, neither club look capable of catching defending champions Barcelona who should now be crowned champions next weekend.
Angulo fired wide with an early salvo for Valencia while Celta's first significant effort came after 14 minutes from Fabian Canobbio who was equally wayward.
A good chance went begging for Valencia when Mario Regueiro miscontrolled the ball in the penalty area and then - after 21 minutes - Villa fired wide with his left foot.
The visitors were beginning to step up the pace and five minutes later a Ruben Baraja header failed to find the target.
Just before the half-hour mark came the opening goal with a delightful piece of finishing from Angulo.
A long ball was hoofed up field towards Regueiro who did well to lay it back to Angulo who rifled a right-footed shot into the Celta net from the edge of the area.
Celta substitute Jesus Perera could have scored but his shot was well saved by Canizares after good work from Canobbio.
Perera then set up Baiano who failed to find the target with his left foot.
With 11 minutes to play Valencia threatened a second goal but Pinto was able to catch an attempt from goalscorer Angulo.
Celta's own European ambitions now seem limited to the UEFA Cup by this result but Valencia know that if they match Real in the remainder of the season - and stay clear of the chasing teams - they will deny Los Merengues an automatic place in the Champions League.
