Barcelona moved to within two wins of an unbeaten La Liga season, as they beat Villarreal 5-1 at the Camp Nou.
Ernesto Valverde’s side raced in to a three-goal lead by half-time, as Philippe Coutinho, Paulinho and Lionel Messi all found the net, before Nicola Sansone pulled one back for the away side. Ousmane Dembele completed the win late on with a simple tap-in and a stunning solo goal.
Here are our ratings for both sides…
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.