UPDATE 1-Soccer-Barca and Real win, Villarreal slump 3-0

* Eto'o's connection with Xavi opens up Valladolid

* Higuain earns Real 1-0 win in Malaga

* Negredo leads Almeria to 3-0 win over Villarreal

(Adds late game, details)

By Mark Elkington

MADRID, April 4 (Reuters) - Samuel Eto'o gave leaders Barcelona a 1-0 win at Real Valladolid and Gonzalo Higuain kept Real Madrid in touch in second place as the champions beat Malaga 1-0 away in the Primera Liga on Saturday.

Barca have 72 points with nine games left to play, and remain six ahead of Real.

After an aggressive start from Valladolid, Cameroon striker Eto'o played a slick one-two with Xavi and lobbed the goalkeeper for his 26th league goal of the season just before the break.