Celta Vigo held by Espanyol to 1-1 draw in Spanish league

MADRID (AP) - Celta Vigo missed a chance to move closer to the top in the Spanish league by drawing with Espanyol 1-1 on Tuesday.

Striker Iago Aspas opened for the visitors in the 28th minute before Espanyol equalized with a goal by forward Marco Asensio in the 39th.

Celta needed a win to move within four points of fourth-place Villarreal, which plays at Real Madrid on Wednesday. The fourth-place team earns a spot in a qualifying round for next season's Champions League.

The draw kept Celta in sixth place, six points behind Villarreal.

The result allowed 15th-place Espanyol to open an eight-point gap to relegation zone.

Celta and Espanyol have four games left.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are tied atop the standings with 76 points, one more than Real Madrid.