Barcelona remain top of La Liga after hammering Villarreal 4-1, though are still second favourites for the title thanks to Real Madrid’s 4-0 win at Granada. Barça lead the standings due to their superior head-to-head record although Real have a game in hand and will win a first domestic title since 2012 if they take seven points from their remaining three games.

Barça’s formidable front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar all scored as the champions inflicted the heaviest league defeat of the season on Villarreal, who have the second-best defensive record in Spain’s top flight.

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Neymar was in sensational form in his second game back from suspension and put Barcelona ahead in the 21st minute after pouncing on a deflected pass from Messi. But Cédric Bakambu fired Villarreal level in the 32nd minute after beating the offside trap to latch on to a clever through-ball from Roberto Soldado.

Barça were temporarily punctured but a marvellous piece of skill from Messi allowed them to restore their lead on the stroke of half-time with a shot from the Argentinian which flew beyond Andrés Fernández with the help of a deflection.

Suárez powered the ball under the Villarreal goalkeeper in the 69th minute to score his third goal in two games and the 100th for the feted front three this campaign, while Messi grabbed the fourth with a deft chip from the penalty spot in the 82nd.

“We played very well with and without the ball and scoring four goals against this Villarreal side shows how well we did,” Barça’s coach, Luis Enrique, said. “Our pressure was key and we produced a complete performance against a great side.”