Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios says qualifying for the Champions League will be crucial.
Victory over Villarreal moved Atletico into fourth place.
Barrios said: "There were some moments in the game when we felt good and others with imbalances that made us have doubts.
"Then we all did a great job, those who started and those who entered.
"It is vital for us to be at the top. We knew we had the opportunity to recover fourth place and we have done so. Very happy."