Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona - Player Ratings

FC Barcelona travelled to Estadio de la Ceramica with hopes of maintaining their lead in the table as they enter the winter break. However, it did not click soon enough for FC Barcelona as it was Villarreal who were quite efficient during the initial exchanges. The first half was goalless, but in general, tilted more towards the Yellow Submarines.

The second half was quite eventful as Barcelona slowly started picking up the rhythm. They were aided by a rash tackle by Raba on Busquets which resulted in him being evicted from the game. The match was then put to bed quite comfortably by Barca as Suarez and Messi both scored fine goals.

Let’s take a look at how the players fared for both the teams.

Villarreal

Sergio Asenjo: 7/10

Quite an amazing outing just like his opposite number. Quick off his lines, it was him who stood firm and almost stopped Barca from an easy victory. Pulled a couple of saves including a fantastic stop to parry Vidal's effort late in the game.

Mario Gaspar: 5/10

One of many Villarreal players who could not perform to their full potential. He struggled in defence as Barcelona looked quite threatening on his side of the pitch. Attacking, he did show the willingness to join attacks and did deliver a couple of interesting balls.

Alvaro Gonzalez: 6.5/10

Alvaro was excellent up against Luis Suarez, sticking tight to him and not allowing the Uruguayan an easy path to the goal. He was physical and aggressive without crossing the line. However, after the red card, he too ran out of steam and was exposed dreadfully.

Victor Ruiz: 6.5/10

He was solid in most parts of the game and did not allow Barcelona to run away with the match from the start. He sniffed out attack after attack to keep the scoreline respectable.

Jaume Costa: 3/10

One of many Villarreal players who could not perform to their full potential. He struggled in defence as Sergi Roberto looked quite threatening on his side of the pitch. He did not contribute much in attack too. He gave the ball away quite cheaply in his own half for Barcelona's second goal.

Raba: 4/10

Raba was good in the first half. He was influential and carried the ball well. However, one moment of inexperience and madness saw him being shown the door as he undid both, his and his team's good work up until that point. This match should be an important lesson for him.

Manu Trigueros: 6.5/10

Trigueros had a decent game. Though he was not very influential in the second half, he came out on top in the midfield battle against Barca’s midfield during the initial 45 minutes. His distribution was efficient, if not eye-catching.

Ruben Semedo: 7.5/10

He was one of Villarreal's better players. A disciplined display from Semedo, who spent much of the first half tracking back and defending. He fulfilled his duties well and used the ball neatly too. He had to be taken off due to injury in the second half.

Rodri: 6/10

Rodri put in a decent display in the midfield as he screened his defence to some extent and also distributed the ball intelligently. However, he struggled against Messi and lost him several times.

Roberto Soriano: 6.5/10

Very much like his teammates, he faded away in the second half and had to be taken off for more defensive options. However, in the first half, he was absolutely sensational as a target man for the Yellow Submarines. He was, indeed, let down by his finishing.

Cedric Bakambu: 5/10

Bakambu worked hard tirelessly but could not get better of Pique or Vermaelen. His decision making was quite erratic and he never could get into any decent attacking positions or deliver a decent final ball.

Substitutes:

Samu Castillejo: 4/10

He was brought on early in the second half, to play on the right side of the midfield for Villarreal. He was not up to the pace of the game and was all over the place while defending or attacking.

Antonio Rukavina: 6/10

He was brought on for Soriano after Raba saw red, in order to contain the threat of Jordi Alba. He stuck to his task and was fairly successful in containing him. However, the damage had already been done.

FC Barcelona

Marc-Andre ter Stegen: 8/10

The German International was the standout performer in goal last night. He pulled off brilliant saves including a fine reflex save against Soriano in the first half apart from a number of routine saves. His distribution from the back was on spot too.

Sergi Roberto: 7.5/10

Back in his right-back role after Nelson Semedo was rested, he produced an amazing performance. He did make a couple of penetrating runs in the attack along with recycling the ball well. In defence, he was solid and never allowed the wide players to cut in or put in a cross.

Gerard Pique: 7.5/10

Pique had a good game as he dominated and won everything that came his way in the air. He won tackles, made blocks and clearances and was a calm head in the heart of the Barca defence. He almost scored Barcelona's first with a fine header that came off the post.

Thomas Vermaelen: 7.5/10

The Belgian international put in a good performance at the heart of the defence. He did not shy away from challenges and played the ball out well.

Jordi Alba: 8.5/10

The Spanish international was immense last night. He owned the left-hand side of the pitch for Barcelona and was a serious attacking threat throughout the match. Defensively he was solid. Amazing outing by the fullback.

Ivan Rakitic: 6/10

Rakitic worked tirelessly throughout the game. He attacked, though with limited creativity and then tracked back enthusiastically for the entire 90 minutes. The Croatian, however, needs to up his attacking game to be a fulcrum of the Barcelona midfield in the days to come.

Sergio Busquets: 8/10

Another typical Busquets performance. He shielded the back four, broke up play and acted like a deep-lying playmaker. He will be looking forward to a great season.

Paulinho: 6.5/10

Paulinho put in a tireless shift last night. Though he wasn't much of a threat as he has been all season long, he was still influential as he helped out in defence and kept the ball well in tight spaces.

Denis Suarez: 5.5/10

The young midfielder had a rare poor game. Unimaginative in attack and generally lethargic, he struggled to have any significant say in the game. He was subbed off in the second half for Paco Alcacer.

Lionel Messi: 8/10

The diminutive Argentine scored yet another goal tonight, to equal Gerd Muller's record of most goals for a single club(525) in Europe's top-5 leagues. He scored Barcelona's second on the night and the only thing he did wrong was his freekick in the first half. He is absolutely deadly in that false nine role, as he dictated Barcelona's attacks from deep.

Luis Suarez: 8/10

The old Luisito seems to be on his way back. Took his goal well after some neat interplay between him, Messi and Alcacer. He worked hard all night and never shied away from any physical battles.

Substitutes:

Paco Alcacer: 7.5/10

brought on in the second half for Denis Suarez, his introduction meant Barcelona immediately looked way more threatening. Notably, he assisted Luis Suarez's goal.

Aleix Vidal: 6/10

He was brought on for Paulinho and kept things simple as he slotted well into the right wing.

Andre Gomes: N/A

Very late substitution, he did not have much time to influence the game.