Player ratings as Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele lead way for Barcelona in win against Villarreal

STARTING XI

Jasper Cillessen – 6: Rarely tested. Made good save from Fornals in first half, and could do nothing about Villarreal’s deflected goal.

Nelson Semedo – 7: Got forward regularly and linked up well with Dembele down the right. Had to do very little defensive work.

Gerard Pique – 6: Covered well for Semedo when the right-back ventured forward. Rarely tested by Villarreal’s attacking players.

Thomas Vermaelen – 6: Given a chance alongside Pique but had a relatively easy night. Comfortable on the ball when in possession.

Lucas Digne – 6: Made a great run and unselfishly set up Paulinho for his goal but found it difficult defensively up against the tricky Castillejo.

Paulinho – 7: Runs forward from midfield allowed Messi the freedom to find space. Rewarded with a goal as he tapped home Digne’s cross.

Sergio Busquets – 7: As always, provided a calming influence in midfield and recycled possession well as Villarreal tried to clear their lines.

Andres Iniesta – 8: Influential role in the second and third goals with two excellent passes. Barca will miss his eye for a killer ball.

Ousmane Dembele – 9: Had Villarreal on the back foot all night. Simple finish for his first goal. Stunning solo run for his second. Superb display.

Lionel Messi – 8: Given freedom to drift despite Suarez starting on the bench. Somehow made the finish for his goal look easy. It wasn’t.

Philippe Coutinho – 7: Some neat touches from the wide left position. Was alert to open scoring and get Barca up and running.

SUBSTITUTES:

Luis Suarez – 6: Came on after his teammates had taken their foot off the gas. Was desperate to score but wasted chance with mistimed run.

Ivan Rakitic – 7: Replaced Busquets for the closing stages and did brilliantly to set up Dembele for his first goal with great footwork.

Yerry Mina – 5: Came on late on for Pique but had very little to do with Villarreal accepting defeat by that stage.

VILLARREAL

STARTING XI

Sergio Asenjo – 5: Should have done better for opening goal, but could do very little about the other four Barca goals.

Mario Gaspar – 4: Coutinho beat him to the opener. Second and third goals came down his side as Barca overloaded the left to great effect.

Victor Ruiz – 5: Found it tough up against Barca’s attacking players but made a couple of crucial interceptions to stop through balls.

Alvaro Gonzalez – 4: Didn’t really know who to pick up or mark with Messi floating and Paulinho making runs from deep. Struggled.

Jaume Costa – 3: Couldn’t get close to Dembele all night as the winger caused plenty of problems. Teammates offered him very little cover.

Rodri – 5: Had more of an influence in the second half as the away side improved for a 20-minute spell, but didn’t provide enough support defensively.

Manuel Trigueros – 6: Made more passes than any other Villarreal player before being subbed. Out of possession couldn’t close down Iniesta or Paulinho.

Samu Castillejo – 5: Failed to do his job defensively as he allowed Digne to set up Barca’s second but looked lively going forward.

Pablo Fornals – 7: Best player for Villarreal. Tested Cillessen early in the first half and it was from his shot that Sansone scored.

Denis Cheryshev – 4: Ex-Real Madrid man didn’t do enough to stop Semedo’s advances forward. Hooked at half-time.

Carlos Bacca – 5: Given very little support or service throughout. Went close with a difficult volley early in second half.

SUBSTITUTES:

Nicola Sansone – 6: Introduced at half-time as Villarreal looked for more in attack. Knew very little about his goal, flying in off his back.

Javi Fuego – 5: Came on for Trigueros but offered very little. Booked for hauling back Messi who had beaten him with ease.

Eres Unal – 4: Anonymous after replacing Bacca with 20 minutes to go.