Forlan opened the scoring after 18 minutes with the Uruguayan then effectively killing the match 11 minutes from time.

There was still time for Fernandez to add the finishing gloss for a Villarreal side that has had a disappointing campaign, albeit not as dismal as Nastic's.

Villarreal signalled their intent after 11 minutes with Forlan getting his first sight of goal with a free-kick. However, his left-footed shot missed to the left.

That stung Nastic and they themselves went close a minute later with Javier Portillo volleying wide.

The opening goal came after 17 minutes when Ruben Cani set up Forlan with the former Manchester United man tucking the ball home from close range.

Six minutes later the irrepressible Latin American had another crack but Albano Bizzarri saved well for the hosts.

Forlan looked like he was on a one-man mission and the former "pichichi" (Liga leading scorer) then curled another free-kick over the bar.

Nastic were somewhat fortunate to be only goal down going into the interval but when they re-emerged from the dressing rooms they went close when Antoni Pinilla fired over the bar.

Forlan still had tunnel vision and fired another shot at the home goal but Bizzarri fielded the ball well.

After 61 minutes, Nastic came agonisingly close to equalising when Martin Ruben Castro rattled the crossbar from six yards.

Ruben Castro then drilled a free-kick into the Villarreal wall with the Liga's bottom club desperate to get back on terms.

After 71 minutes, Forlan was in position again but his shot was blocked by Cesar Navas.

The Uruguayan frontman then fired in another shot which brought a fine save from Bizzarri but it was not long before the Yellow Submarines torpedoed Nastic with the second goal.

It came with Fernandez playing the role of creator with a pass to Forlan who netted with his left foot.

To their credit, Gimnastic did not give up and they nearly hauled themselves back into the match when Portillo's header forced a save from Sebastian Viera.

It was Fernandez who supplied the coup de grace in stoppage time as he collected a Ruben Cani pass before finding the net.

Nastic have found Primera Liga football hard to acclimatise to since their promotion last season and the Catalans will have to put together a remarkable series of results now if they are to stay in the division.

Villarreal have failed to live up to last year's dizzy heights when they reached the Champions League semi-finals but will be pleased to pick up three more points.